Marciano is a red butterhead lettuce bred for both flavor and resilience in the garden. Maturing in just 50 days, this compact variety produces heads that thrive in cool weather and reward patient growers with reliable harvests. Its impressive disease resistance package makes it a dependable choice for gardeners contending with common lettuce problems, while its butterhead form promises tender, flavorful leaves that work beautifully in salads or as a fresh garnish.
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Moderate
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Red butterhead lettuces are prized for their tender texture and delicate leaves, and Marciano brings serious disease resistance to that lineage. It handles Downy Mildew, Lettuce Mosaic Virus, and TBSV, three of the most persistent threats to home lettuce patches. Quick to mature at 50 days and genuinely frost-tolerant, Marciano lets you start harvesting as soon as soil can be worked in spring and extend your season well into fall.
Marciano shines as a salad green, where its tender butterhead leaves provide both visual appeal and delicate flavor. The red coloring and soft texture make it an attractive choice for fresh presentations, from simple garden salads to composed plates where the leaf structure and color contribute to the dish.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost at temperatures between 60 and 70°F. Provide bright light and keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Transplant seedlings carefully to avoid damaging the delicate root system.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant to the garden as soon as soil can be worked, spacing plants 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Marciano tolerates light frosts, so you can plant earlier than tender varieties.
Direct sow seeds in early spring or late summer for best germination and growth. Press seeds into prepared soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination occurs.
Marciano reaches harvest readiness in 50 days. Pick heads when they feel firm to the touch and have developed a dense, compact form. Cut the entire head at soil level using a sharp knife, or harvest outer leaves as needed for a longer production period. For best quality and crispness, harvest in the cool morning hours and use or refrigerate immediately.
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