Ballade

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp as a fresh snowfall, Ballade crisphead lettuce forms a dense, tightly cupped head with a cool, clean crunch and a sweet, delicate finish.

Its leaves are tender yet sturdy, holding their crisp texture beautifully from garden to table, making it a standout for fresh salads and elegant garnishes. Grow Ballade for a classic, satisfying bite and a dependable 75-day path to a beautifully uniform head.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ballade is a crisphead built for that satisfying snap—its leaves stay tender but hold shape, so your fork doesn’t meet soggy lettuce halfway through. Use it where you need a cold, clean crunch to contrast creamy or smoky flavors, not where it’ll be cooked to death.

Best Uses

ice-cold salad crunch where leaves must stay crisp
elegant wedge salads with bold, creamy dressings
burger and sandwich layering to keep structure (no wilting mush)
brief pickling for a restrained, snappy tang

Flavor Profile

cool, clean crunch gentle sweetness tender-yet-sturdy leaves delicate, lightly vegetal finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette blue cheese croutons smoked salmon bacon grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Ballade plants getting curled leaves and tiny white flecks, and what should I do?

Ballade is often hit by thrips, which cause leaf curling, silvery scarring, and tiny pale specks. Remove the most damaged leaves, then spray with insecticidal soap or a neem-based product, thoroughly covering leaf undersides; repeat every 5–7 days for 3 rounds. Keep weeds down around the bed because they can host thrips and reduce airflow between plants.

How often should I water Ballade during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–7)?

During active growth, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for the top 1 inch to stay slightly damp. In most home gardens that’s about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 watering days, but adjust so water soaks in rather than running off. If leaves look wilted during the day yet recover overnight, water deeply; if the soil stays wet or plants stall, reduce frequency.

How can I tell when Ballade is ready to harvest at about 75 days?

Harvest when pods/heads reach the variety’s intended size and feel firm and full, not soft or hollow. For best eating quality, pick when the exterior color looks fully developed and the plant no longer seems to be “pushing” new growth. If you can press a produce unit gently and it springs back or shows no give, it’s typically at peak; if it dents easily, harvest that day.