Olga

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Silky, tender leaves unfurl with a cool, fresh crunch—Olga lettuce forms a lush rosette that feels almost velvet to the touch.

Its flavor is delicately sweet with a bright, green snap, making it a standout for crisp salads and elegant garnishes. Grow Olga for dependable, 50-day maturity and a beautifully uniform head that stays attractive from garden to table.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 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	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Olga’s silkiness plus a clean green snap makes it ideal for restraint: dress it lightly so the leaves stay cool, crisp, and visually pristine. This is the lettuce you put on the plate when you want freshness to feel luxurious, not washed out.

Best Uses

cold, crisp salads where the leaves should stay airy and un-wilted
elegant garnishes on composed plates (they hold a neat, uniform rosette look)
lightly dressed lettuce with minimal interference—lemon, salt, and a whisper of oil

Flavor Profile

silky-tender leaves delicately sweet bright green snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil creamy feta shaved parmesan grilled chicken champagne vinaigrette

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa (lettuce) like ‘Olga’, and how can I control it?

Lettuce most often suffers from downy mildew (Peronospora) and powdery mildew, which show up as gray-purple fuzzy growth or pale powdery patches on leaves, especially when leaves stay wet. Remove and discard affected plants, improve airflow, and water at soil level (not onto the foliage). If problems persist, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for lettuce and mildew, applied per label directions.

During the 50-day growing period, how often should I water Lactuca sativa, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

Keep soil consistently evenly moist for lettuce—don’t let it dry out between waterings, because Lactuca sativa quickly becomes bitter and can bolt. In active growth, aim for roughly 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusting for heat and soil type, and water when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) feels dry. Ensure good drainage so roots don’t sit in waterlogged soil.

How do I know when ‘Olga’ (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 50 days from sowing when heads are firm and compact for the variety type, with outer leaves fully expanded and crisp. For best quality, pick in the morning and harvest before the center starts to loosen or stretch upward (early bolting). If you can squeeze the head and it feels tight, it’s ready; if it feels soft, wait a few days and recheck.