Kagraner Sommer

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp, buttery leaves unfurl in a soft, luminous rosette—Kagraner Sommer butterhead lettuce is prized for its tender, sweet flavor and delicate, velvety texture.

At maturity, the heads form a gentle, spoon-shaped heart with pale green to creamy tones that feel as good as they taste. Grow it for fresh salads and elegant garnishes, or let its mild, mellow character shine in quick summer bowls and light sauces.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Kagraner Sommer

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	Jun 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Butterhead hearts like this Kagraner Sommer are built for the luxury of a spoonable salad—sweet, tender leaves that don’t turn bitter or stringy. Keep dressings light and add at the last second so the rosette stays silky, crisp, and luminous rather than collapsing into water.

Best Uses

tear-and-toss salads where the leaves keep their spoonable shape under light dressing
quick summer bowls with warm proteins—lettuce added at the end so it stays crisp
gentle, brief wilted applications (steam-kissed greens) to avoid turning watery
elegant garnishes: spoon-shaped hearts for plates that need soft volume

Flavor Profile

tender, sweet bite buttery, velvety leaf texture mild, mellow herbaceousness delicate crunch without harshness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil feta goat cheese grilled chicken hard-boiled egg

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Lactuca sativa (Kagraner Sommer), and how do I stop it?

Lettuce commonly suffers from downy mildew and leaf spot, especially when nights are cool and leaves stay wet. Water the soil at the base in the morning and give plants spacing for airflow; remove and discard any badly spotted leaves. If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide appropriate for lettuce and follow the full reapplication interval on the label.

How often should I water Kagraner Sommer during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–6)?

Keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist so leaves grow tender and fast, aiming for consistent moisture rather than cycles of drying and soaking. In typical home beds, that often means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during warm spells. Stop short of waterlogged soil—lettuce in soggy ground is prone to rot and disease.

How can I tell when Kagraner Sommer is ready to harvest at about 55 days?

Harvest when heads/rosettes are fully sized for your thinning plan and outer leaves are crisp and firm, usually around 55 days from sowing. For leaf-style lettuce, pick outer leaves once they’re large enough to eat; don’t wait until the plant bolts or becomes bitter. If you see a tall central stalk or leaf bitterness increases, harvest immediately or the quality will drop fast.