Waldmann's Dark Green

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisp, cool, and richly green from the first harvest—Waldmann's Dark Green loose-leaf lettuce forms tender leaves with a deep, velvety sheen and a pleasantly sweet, garden-fresh flavor.

The texture is delightfully crunchy yet never tough, with frilly edges that catch the light and hold their shape in the salad bowl. Grow it for repeat cuttings at about 45 days, and enjoy its lush foliage as the star of fresh greens, brightened with simple dressings and garnishes.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Waldmann's Dark Green

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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Waldmann's Dark Green gives you that prized loose-leaf crunch—tender enough to chew right away, but structured so it doesn’t slump in the bowl. It’s sweet and cool with a faint bitter edge, so bright citrus dressings and salty cheeses make it taste like spring in every bite.

Best Uses

repeat-cut salad greens where the leaves stay crisp after tossing
simple vinaigrette salads that benefit from its frilly structure
chopped lettuce for wraps and sandwiches that need crunch without toughness
quick cool-down topping for warm proteins (dress at the last second)

Flavor Profile

pleasantly sweet, garden-fresh cool, crisp snap tender yet sturdy leaves with a velvety sheen light, clean bitterness on the finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette balsamic glaze feta cheese goat cheese hard-boiled egg grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Lactuca sativa (Waldmann's Dark Green) — how do I prevent and treat downy mildew or lettuce leaf rot?

Downy mildew on lettuce shows as pale yellow patches on top leaves with a gray-purple fuzzy growth underneath; leaf rot turns leaves soft and water-soaked, especially in damp, crowded plants. Improve airflow by thinning to the recommended spacing and water at soil level (not on leaves). If you see early symptoms, remove affected leaves immediately, keep foliage dry, and avoid re-wetting for the next day; for home gardens, an approved protectant fungicide labeled for lettuce downy mildew can be used according to label directions.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during its main growing phase (around weeks 2–6)?

During active leaf growth, keep the soil consistently evenly moist to a depth of about 1–2 inches, aiming for “moist but not soggy.” Water when the top inch of soil starts to feel slightly dry, typically every 1–3 days depending on heat and container vs. ground conditions. Avoid letting the soil swing from very dry to very wet, which can contribute to bitter flavor and bolting in lettuce (Lactuca sativa).

When is Waldmann's Dark Green ready to harvest, and how can I tell?

Harvest at about 45 days when plants form a full, firm head/rosette typical for your sowing method and leaves are thick and deep green. You should be able to gently lift the plant and feel that it’s developed but not overly stretched; if you notice rapid height increase and early flower-stem formation, it’s past prime for tender leaves. Harvest in the cool part of the day, cutting at the base (or harvesting outer leaves if you’re doing successive harvests).