Tango

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Tango lettuce arrives with a crisp, tender bite and a vivid, fresh-green allure that feels almost luminous in the garden.

Its loose-leaf heads form an inviting rosette, with frilly, delicately ruffled leaves that stay pleasantly crunchy and sweet when grown steadily. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant greens platters, Tango also shines as a flavorful base for quick tosses and leafy garnishes.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 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 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	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tango’s frilly loose leaves deliver a bright, sweet crunch—built for salads you eat immediately, not the kind that wilt into the dressing. Treat it like an edible topping: keep it cold, toss at the last second, and let it stay crisp against salty, creamy or smoky partners.

Best Uses

quick toss salads where the leaves need to stay rigid and not collapse
burger and sandwich base to add cool, snappy bite
simple vinaigrette greens plates that lean on sweetness and crunch
leafy garnishes for tacos, bowls, and omelets

Flavor Profile

crisp, tender crunch sweet, fresh-green flavor mildly grassy with a clean finish frilly leaf texture that stays snappy

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette cherry tomatoes goat cheese feta grilled chicken crisp bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Spinacia oleracea (spinach), and how do I treat it?

Watch for downy mildew (pale yellow patches on top with gray-purple fuzz underneath) and leaf spot, which flare in cool, damp weather. Remove and destroy affected leaves, improve airflow, and avoid wetting foliage; if conditions stay wet, apply a copper-based fungicide labeled for leafy greens and follow the label exactly. For pests like aphids, rinse plants with a strong water jet and use insecticidal soap on affected leaves early in the day.

How often should I water Spinacia oleracea during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist during leaf development so the plants stay tender and don’t bolt; aim for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusting for rain and heat. Water at the base to avoid wetting leaves, and only let the top 1/2 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings. Mulch lightly can help maintain moisture in part-sun conditions.

How can I tell when Spinacia oleracea (Tango spinach) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are full-sized but still tender—typically around 50–55 days after sowing. For “cut-and-come-again,” pick outer leaves when they are about 3–5 inches long, leaving the center to regrow. If the plants start sending up flower stalks (bolting), harvest immediately for best quality.