Grow Lettuce Verdagio – A High-Yielding Green Multileaf Variety
Introducing Lettuce Verdagio, a remarkable green multileaf variety known for its frilly, crisp leaves and lovely sweet flavour with a satisfying crunch. This compact Apollo-type lettuce boasts thick, spiky-textured leaves that not only enhance the visual appeal of your salads but also offer excellent shelf life, making it a favourite among home gardeners.
Key Characteristics:
- Leaf Type: Frilly, bright green with a spiky texture
- Flavour: Sweet and crisp
- Yield: High, with dense leaf production
- Resistance: Excellent tolerance to tipburn and bolting
- Suitability: Ideal for hydroponic systems and traditional soil planting
Developed by Syngenta, Verdagio has undergone rigorous shelf life trials, proving its quality and durability post-harvest. Its compact growth habit makes it suitable for gardens with limited space, and its resilience ensures a bountiful harvest throughout the growing season.
Growing Information
Lettuce Verdagio is versatile and adapts well to various growing conditions, including hydroponic systems and traditional soil gardens.
Sowing and Planting:
- Sowing Period: March to July
- Method: Sow seeds under cover or directly outdoors
- Seed Placement: Scatter seeds on moist compost and lightly cover
- Spacing: Rows should be 30–40 cm apart to allow adequate airflow and growth
Care and Maintenance:
- Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture to prevent bolting
- Thinning: Utilise young seedlings as baby leaves during thinning to promote robust plant development
- Succession Planting: For a continuous supply, sow new seeds every 2–3 weeks
Harvesting:
- Method: Harvest by cutting at the base; the dense leaf structure allows for easy collection of ready-to-use leaves
- Timing: Regular harvesting encourages new growth and extends the productive period
Culinary Uses
The sweet, crisp leaves of Lettuce Verdagio are perfect for a variety of dishes:
- Salads: Adds a fresh, crunchy texture and vibrant green colour
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Provides a delightful crunch and mild flavour
- Garnishes: Enhances the visual appeal and taste of various dishes
Its excellent shelf life ensures that the leaves remain fresh and appetising, reducing waste and providing more value from each harvest.