Marvel of Four Seasons

Lettuce

Zone 8b Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Marvel of Four Seasons

🌱 50d to harvest Rosette

Marvel of Four Seasons unfolds into tender, butter-soft heads with a fresh, sweet-green flavor and a delicately crisp bite at the…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 23rd
Last Frost	Mar 23rd
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Mar 16th
Harvest Begins	May 5th
Harvest Ends	Nov 12th

Crop Details

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

Recommended Companions

French Breakfast 3 Radish

Chinese Red Radish

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem on Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce) and how do I treat it?

A frequent issue is downy mildew (often triggered by cool, damp weather), which shows as pale yellow patches on leaves and a fuzzy gray/white growth on the underside. Remove badly infected leaves immediately and improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil line (not overhead). If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide approved for lettuce/leaf vegetables and repeat according to the label.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the 40–50 day growing period, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently lightly moist—lettuce roots are shallow and dry spells quickly cause bitterness and bolting risk. Water deeply enough to wet the root zone, typically about 2–3 times per week depending on heat, with more frequent watering during warm, windy weather. Avoid soggy soil; overly wet beds also increase mildew risk.

How do I know when my Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are fully expanded but before the plant bolts—most leaf types are ready around 50 days from sowing, though you can start earlier with “baby leaf” cuts. For full-sized leaves, pick in the morning when leaves are crisp and while the outer leaves are the largest and most tender. If the center starts forming a tall stem or leaves turn noticeably bitter, harvest immediately to avoid low-quality heads/leaf flavor.

Marvel of Four Seasons unfolds into tender, butter-soft heads with a fresh, sweet-green flavor and a delicately crisp bite at the core. At about 50 days, its rounded, spooned leaves form a lush rosette that stays pleasantly mild and never turns harsh, making it a standout for steady, season-spanning harvests. Grow it for salads and elegant leaf-forward dishes where its velvety texture shines—especially when you want a butterhead that looks as good 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 butterhead lettuce like ‘Marvel of Four Seasons,’ sow/plant as soon as soil is workable and keep it evenly moist to prevent bitterness and bolting.