Lactuca sativa var.
Heirloom Baby Salads
- Traditional baby leaf Italian salad blend
- Mouth pleasing full flavours
We fell in love with this delicious salad while hunting for varieties in Emilia-Romagna. The authentic regional mixture features a blend of tangy traditional cutting chicories and crispy little endives, nicely balanced by milder green and red leaf lettuces. Sow the seed densely, wait just over a month, then harvest with scissors at 4 to 5 inches tall to experience all the mouth-pleasing full flavors, textures and pretty colors that are so characteristic of rustic Italian cuisine.Zuccherina & Spadona Chicories, Pancalieri & Curo Pleno Endives, Ubriacona Frastagliata & Red Leaf Italian LettucesSeed Count: Approx. 2700 / Weight: 3.5 gms| Plant In | Sun/Shade | Planting Depth | Space seeds | Days to Germinate | Days to 1st Harvest |
Feb.-June Aug.-Sept. | Full Sun | 1/4 In. | 1/2 In. | 7 - 14 days | Approx. 45 |
Best To StartDirectly Outdoors
Inearly spring or in midsummer for fall harvests, sow seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Shake seeds from the palm of your hand , broadcasting them about half an inch apart over the entire seedbed or in wide rows, and cover lightly and evenly with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Firm soil gently and water with a fine spray. Keep seedbed evenly moist.
Growing Notes
This full flavored Italian salad mix thrives in mild weather with consistent moisture. To extend the sowing season into hot weather, sow in light shade or erect a canopy of loosely woven shade cloth over the seedbed.Birds are often attracted to tender young seedlings, so protect them if necessary with netting or floating row covers.
Harvest and Use
To harvest by the "cut and come again" method,wait until plants are4 to 5 in. tall. Cut as much as you need, using scissors to shear off a patch of leaves 1 to 2 in. above soil level. Water well and fertilize lightly and plants will regrow for several more cuttings.Dress with a simple vinaigrette that has a touch of honey added to set off the complex full flavors of this piquant mix. Misticanza has sharp tangy components, so if it tastes too strong-flavored for diners' palates, add additional lettuces to mellow the mix.
