Sierra

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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

Sweet, cool crunch leads the way with Sierra—an inviting summer crisp lettuce whose leaves unfurl in a fresh, airy rosette and hold their snap with remarkable steadiness.

Expect a tender, juicy texture and a clean, mild flavor that shines in bright salads and quick tosses, with leaves that stay crisp even as temperatures rise. Grow Sierra for a dependable 55-day harvest and a lush, garden-fresh centerpiece of green.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Sierra 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sierra’s steady crispness is the whole point—juicy leaves that don’t collapse when the day warms up, so they stay bright under a quick vinaigrette. It’s mild enough to play nice with salty cheeses and grilled proteins, but juicy enough to keep a clean bite in slaws and fresh tosses.

Best Uses

toss-and-serve summer salads that need to hold crunch
simple lettuce wraps or crunchy base for handhelds
quick charmless plating with bright vinaigrettes
shredded into slaws where you want watery snap

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild lettuce flavor cool, juicy crunch tender but snappy leaf texture clean, lightly grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette tomatoes cucumber feta grilled chicken olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Cynara scolymus (artichoke) in home gardens, and how can I manage it?

Artichokes are commonly hit by artichoke plume moth (and related foliage feeding pests) and by fungal problems like botrytis/gray mold in cool, humid weather. Check weekly for chewed leaves and silken webbing around buds, then remove and destroy infested leaves; keep plants spaced for airflow and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If gray mold appears on buds/leaves, cut out affected tissue promptly and improve ventilation; in severe cases, use a labeled fungicide suitable for edible crops and follow the label directions.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Cynara scolymus and what soil moisture level does it need?

Water deeply so the root zone stays evenly moist—aim for about 1–2 inches of water per week during active growth, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the root ball to fully dry out, which can lead to smaller, poor-quality buds. Mulch around plants helps stabilize moisture, reducing stress that worsens bud development.

How can I tell when Cynara scolymus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the buds reach full size but before the center opens: the bracts should be tight and firm, with a slight “squeak” when gently squeezed. For most gardeners, this is about 55 days from transplanting/establishment, depending on temperature and growing conditions. Cut the stem 1–2 inches below the bud, and be ready to harvest subsequent buds from the plant as they mature.