May King

Lettuce

Zone 12b Save Garden

🌱 50d to harvest Rosette

Crisp, buttery leaves unfurl in a soft, pale-green rosette that feels almost velvety to the eye—then delivers a clean, sweet crun…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Dec 4th
Last Frost	Jan 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Dec 25th
Harvest Begins	Feb 13th
Harvest Ends	Dec 31st

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Recommended Companions

Chantenay Red Core Carrot

Nero Tondo Radish

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (May King lettuce), and how can I prevent it?

Watch for downy mildew and lettuce aphids, especially when nights are cool and humidity stays high. Improve airflow by spacing plants as directed, avoid wetting leaves during watering, and remove any infected leaves early. If aphids appear, rinse them off with a strong spray and repeat every few days; for recurring outbreaks use insecticidal soap according to label directions.

How often should I water May King lettuce during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level is best?

During the main growth period (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently evenly moist—typically 1–2 waterings per week depending on heat and container vs. bed. Water deeply enough to reach the root zone, then let the surface slightly dry before the next watering to reduce disease pressure. Lettuce that dries out too much can turn bitter and bolt sooner.

How do I tell when May King lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the head (or rosette, depending on your training) reaches full size for its spacing and the leaves are crisp and tender rather than overly tough. For May King, you’re usually aiming for about 50 days from sowing, but verify by size and leaf texture before cutting. Cut in the morning at ground level, and avoid harvesting after the plant has started bolting (flower stem emerging), which makes leaves bitter.

Crisp, buttery leaves unfurl in a soft, pale-green rosette that feels almost velvety to the eye—then delivers a clean, sweet crunch with a gentle, mellow flavor. May King forms a well-centered butterhead at about 50 days, with tender, spoon-shaped leaves that stay pleasantly succulent for fresh use and quick, light dressing. Ideal for gardeners who want a dependable, early-season head that looks as refined as it tastes.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 30°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 6 days first.

Expert Note

For May King, start indoors in cool weather and transplant as soon as nights are consistently above ~35°F (or use a cold frame) to lock in its very-early growth.