Optima

Lettuce

Zone 4b Save Garden

🌱 60d to harvest Rosette

Sink your spoon into Optima’s tender heart: buttery, spoon-soft leaves unfurl in a calm, pale-green rosette with a delicately swe…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 15th
Last Frost	May 13th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 6th
Harvest Begins	Jul 5th
Harvest Ends	Sep 27th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
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)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

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Frequently Asked Questions

Lactuca sativa (lettuce) pest/disease: what if I see slimy spots or gray mold on leaves?

This can be gray mold (Botrytis), which shows up as gray, fuzzy growth on leaf tissue—often after overhead watering or during cool, humid weather. Remove affected leaves immediately, improve airflow around plants, and water the soil (not the leaves). If it keeps spreading, apply a label-approved fungicide for lettuce and rotate to a different mode of action next time.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–8)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged so leaves stay tender and don’t turn bitter—aim for roughly 1 inch of water per week, split into smaller waterings as needed. Water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, and ensure good drainage because lettuce suffers when roots sit in soggy conditions.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest at about 60 days?

Harvest when heads (or leaf rosettes, if you’re growing loose-leaf types) reach their expected size and leaves feel crisp rather than limp. For the best flavor, pick in the morning when leaves are fully turgid, and avoid waiting until the plant bolts—once it starts sending up a flower stalk, bitterness increases quickly.

Sink your spoon into Optima’s tender heart: buttery, spoon-soft leaves unfurl in a calm, pale-green rosette with a delicately sweet, clean flavor. At maturity (about 60 days), it forms a compact butterhead with a plush, velvety texture and crisp yet yielding bite—ideal for fresh salads and elegant platters, as well as quick tosses and light dressings that let its mild character shine.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 40°F and nights stay above 32°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 6 days first.

Expert Note

For best Optima head quality, keep soil evenly moist and avoid heat—use shade/row cover when late-spring temperatures rise.