Merveille Des Quatre Saisons

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Unfurl Merveille Des Quatre Saisons and enjoy a slow, luxurious blush of tender leaves—silky, butter-soft, and richly fresh with a gentle sweetness.

This butterhead lettuce forms a compact, rounded rosette with a velvety texture and crisp-yet-delicate bite, ideal for gardeners who love salads that feel refined and light. Grow it for steady, season-spanning harvests at about 60 days, when the leaves are at their most supple and aromatic.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Merveille Des Quatre Saisons

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	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This butterhead is built for a refined, silky mouthfeel—its leaves don’t want aggressive flavors or crunchy chaos. Keep the dressing bright (lemon/EV olive oil) and pair with creamy cheese or a nutty crunch so the sweetness reads clean, not dull.

Best Uses

tossed salads where the leaves need to stay tender (no heavy chopping)
simple vinaigrettes—especially ones that cling for a clean, glossy mouthfeel
stacking on sandwiches and wraps as a moisture barrier to keep bread from going soggy
lightly dressed, warm-ish plates (still off the heat) where the greens won’t go bitter

Flavor Profile

buttery-soft, velvety leaf texture gentle sweetness with a lightly nutty, fresh finish crisp-yet-delicate bite that melts rather than shatters

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette feta goat cheese grilled chicken extra-virgin olive oil toasted walnuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Buttercrunch-type lettuce) like Merveille Des Quatre Saisons, and how do I treat it?

Watch for aphids and slugs, which are common on lettuce during warm weather—check the undersides of leaves and around the base. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray, then repeat every 2–3 days until they’re gone; for slugs, place copper tape or set up beer traps at soil level and remove hiding spots like loose debris. If you see fuzzy gray growth or leaf rot in humid conditions, improve airflow by thinning plants to the recommended spacing and water at soil level rather than wetting leaves.

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

During the ~60-day growth period, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for watering when the surface starts to dry. In practice, that’s often about 1–2 times per week, but increase frequency during hot spells so lettuce doesn’t dry out and turn bitter. Water in the morning at the base of the plants to prevent leaf diseases, especially as heads and outer leaves expand.

How can I tell when Merveille Des Quatre Saisons lettuce is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rosette is fully formed and firm, typically around 60 days from sowing, and the outer leaves are large enough to eat. For best texture, pick in the morning before heat triggers bitterness—snap or cut the head at the soil line, or harvest outer leaves early if you prefer a longer picking window.