Merveille des Quatre Saisons Lettuce
Item Details
(aka Marvel of Four Seasons) French historic variety described in Vilmorin’s The Vegetable Garden (1885). Pretty reddish bibb-type rosette with a crisp texture and excellent flavor. Does well in all sorts of climates and can withstand heat. The dark red color develops best in cool spring or autumn weather.
- 60 days
- ±26,000 seeds/oz
- Conventional
- Leaves are tinged with red
- Bibb or Butterhead lettuce
- Holds well in heat, best color in cool seasons
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
This lettuce can be used in salads or as an addition to sandwiches and burgers. Mix it with other varieties to create a salad mix of different textures, colors, and flavors.
Salads that have a lettuce base are often combined with grated cheese, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, and rich and crispy meats like bacon or pork belly.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - Sow continuously for a constant supply of lettuce. Best grown in cooler weather. Plant in full sun or partial shade.
- Direct Seed: 1" Apart
- Seed Depth: 1/4"
- Germination: 7-14 Days
- Thin: 10-12" Apart
Ratings & Reviews
3 reviews
Marvelous lettuce
by Alyssa
I’m in zone 7b (Arlington Va) and planted this lettuce on March 20th directly in the garden. I harvested big beautiful red tinged heads on May 20th and probably could have harvested even earlier. Did well with a below freezing cold snap and 80 degree days. I never even treated for pests and not a single insect took a bite. Would definitely grow this every year.
Tender, sweet, and beautiful
by Linda
I planted this in the fall in Virginia and thinned it. It wintered over nicely, and in the spring, with a developed root system, produced beautiful loose heads of sweet, tender lettuce. I've learned the hard way that thinning is key, as hard as it is. I've grown this lettuce for years and hope to grow it for many more.
My favorite lettuce to grow
by Lynn
I bought a packet of these years ago, and the germination rates have stayed relatively high in comparison to other old lettuce seed (lettuce seed tends to expire quickly). Sturdy and reliable in my shady garden, and lasts well into June in 7a. No pest pressure, I've never even had slugs try to eat it.
It's tasty and sweet and beautiful. Turns red under stress like a succulent - leaves can be green inside but as soon as you plant them out they turn red