Salinas

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Salinas to a garden.

Crisp as chilled glass, Salinas forms a tight, satisfying head with a cool, fresh crunch and a clean, sweet-green flavor.

The leaves are notably sturdy and slow to wilt, holding their crisp texture through the season for salads and elegant fresh platters. Ideal for home gardeners seeking a reliable crisphead at about 65 days, with heads that feel substantial yet tender to the touch.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Salinas Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 18th	Jul 22nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Jul 16th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Jul 10th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 5th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jul 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Jun 28th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jun 22nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jun 17th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jun 7th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	May 29th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	May 20th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	May 3rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	Apr 8th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Salinas is a crisphead built for cold service: sturdy leaves stay snappy even after a proper toss, so you get that tight crunch instead of limp lettuce fatigue. Its clean sweetness loves sharp acids and salty hits—dress it hard, keep it chilled, and it’ll reward you in every bite.

Best Uses

ice-cold chopped salad where you want the crunch to survive the toss
wedge salads with a thick, clinging dressing (no watery leaf collapse)
fresh platters—tear and fan the leaves like edible glass
quick pickle or brine use where the leaves need to stay snappy

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet-green flavor tight crisp crunch sturdy, slow-wilting leaves clean finish with light vegetal sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette bacon blue cheese goat cheese chickpeas anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (iceberg-type lettuce) and how can I stop it?

Watch for aphids and downy mildew in warm, humid conditions—aphids cluster on tender growth, while downy mildew causes yellow patches with fuzzy growth on leaf undersides. Remove heavily affected leaves early, then spray/rinse aphids off with a strong water jet and repeat every 2–3 days for a week. Improve airflow (space plants and thin if crowded) and avoid wetting the foliage in the evening to slow downy mildew.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During active head/leaf enlargement (roughly weeks 3–8), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to stay evenly damp. Water deeply 2–3 times per week depending on heat, using enough water to reach the root zone, and reduce frequency if rainfall keeps the soil wet. If lettuce dries out, it can turn bitter and bolt; if soil stays soggy, roots can struggle and disease risk rises.

How do I tell when Lactuca sativa (iceberg-type lettuce) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 65 days from sowing (or when days-to-maturity is reached) and when the head feels firm and well-formed rather than loose. Lift the outer leaves and check the base—if the head is tight with minimal opening at the center, it’s ready. Cut at the soil line in the morning for the best crispness, especially if the weather is warming.