Crispino Red

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crispino Red arrives with a cool, garden-fresh crunch—heads that hold their snap and shine in rich, wine-red tones.

The leaves form a tight crisphead with a tender, buttery texture and a pleasantly mild, sweet finish, making it a standout for fresh salads and elegant garnishes. Grow Crispino Red for a striking color accent and a satisfying bite that stays crisp from harvest to serving.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Crispino Red is all about the bite: tight crisphead structure keeps it snappy and composed even when dressed, with a mild sweetness that won’t fight sharper acids. Use it cold and late—dressing at the last moment turns that buttery crunch into something that feels expensive on the plate.

Best Uses

ice-cold salad service where the crunch must survive the bowl (no soggy wilt)
shingle thin for plated garnishes—wet it with dressing at the last second
torn-and-quick-dressed lettuce base for vinaigrettes that cling without breaking the leaves
crisphead wedges as a crunchy foil to hot proteins and warm sauces

Flavor Profile

cool, mild sweetness juicy snap with a tender, buttery mouthfeel clean, leafy finish with a faintly sweet edge

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette balsamic (or aged balsamic) reduction tarragon goat cheese grilled chicken hard-boiled egg

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Lactuca sativa (red leaf lettuce) and what should I do if I see it?

Watch for aphids and gray mold (Botrytis) on dense, humid foliage. Rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water and remove heavily infested leaves; for gray mold, thin plants for airflow, avoid wetting the leaves, and remove any rotting heads/leaves immediately. If issues persist, use an insecticidal soap for aphids and a labeled fungicide approved for lettuce/leafy greens for Botrytis, following label timing close to harvest.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the main growth from about week 2 to harvest (around day 20–70), keep the soil consistently evenly moist but not soggy—aim for damp soil 1–2 inches down. Water when the surface starts to dry, typically every 2–4 days depending on heat, and avoid soaking the crown and leaf bases to reduce Botrytis risk.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa (lettuce) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the head/rosette feels firm and leaves are fully expanded, typically around 65–75 days after sowing. For crisp types like this, pick when outer leaves have good color and thickness but before the plant bolts; if the center starts stretching upward and leaves turn more bitter, harvest immediately.