{"product_id":"really-red-deer-tongue-lettuce-heirloom-seeds","title":"Red Deer Tongue Lettuce, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eRed Deer Tongue Lettuce, Heirloom Seeds — The Uniquely Dual-Type Heirloom That Starts as a Dark Red Cutting Lettuce Then Forms a Butter-Cos Heart, Striking White Midrib, 50–55 Days\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReally Red Deer Tongue (\u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most distinctive and hard-to-classify lettuces you'll grow — and that's exactly what makes it special. Long, pointed, tongue-shaped leaves are deep red with a striking white midrib, making each leaf look almost hand-painted. What's unusual about this variety: it begins as a dark red cutting-type lettuce, then matures into a compact butter-cos style heart. Two crops in one planting — harvest the outer leaves early as a vivid red cutting lettuce, then let the center develop into a tender, flavorful butter-cos head. Probably best as a spring lettuce before heat triggers bolting. A dramatic addition to the garden and the salad bowl. 50–55 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Really Red Deer Tongue?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUniquely dual-type\u003c\/strong\u003e — starts as a dark red cutting lettuce, then forms a butter-cos style heart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDramatically dark red leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e — long, pointed, tongue-shaped leaves with a striking white midrib\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo harvests in one planting\u003c\/strong\u003e — cut outer leaves early, then harvest the tender butter-cos heart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental and edible\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of the most visually striking lettuces in the kitchen garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest as a spring lettuce\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives in cool weather; succession plant for continuous harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut-and-come-again\u003c\/strong\u003e — harvest outer leaves regularly to extend the cutting phase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaby greens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest at 20–25 days when leaves reach 3–4 inches — vivid red color makes a stunning salad mix addition. \u003cstrong\u003eCutting type phase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest long outer leaves individually as the plant grows — deep red with white midribs, beautiful fresh or as a garnish. \u003cstrong\u003eButter-cos heart:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow 50–55 days for the center to develop into a compact, tender butter-cos style heart with a milder, sweeter flavor than the outer leaves. Harvest in the morning for best texture. Store refrigerated in a plastic bag for 7–10 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow ⅛ inch deep (surface sow also works — lettuce benefits from light to germinate), 2 inches apart, thinning to 6 inches for full heads. Start 4–6 weeks before last frost indoors for spring; or sow 6–8 weeks before first fall frost. Best as a spring lettuce — bolt-resistant but will bolt in sustained summer heat. Full sun to partial shade. Nitrogen-rich, well-composted, consistently moist soil (55–70°F ideal). Succession sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest. Performs equally well direct sown or transplanted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–55 days (full head); baby greens 20–25 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–10 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLettuce Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnique dual-type — cutting then butter-cos heart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Shape\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong, pointed, tongue-shaped\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep dark red all over with white midrib\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Viability\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–3 years (store cool, dark, dry)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Style\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBaby greens, cut-and-come-again, or full butter-cos head\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 inches (or thickly for baby greens)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e⅛ inch or surface sow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNitrogen-rich, composted, well-draining; pH 6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e55–70°F ideal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 days refrigerated in a plastic bag\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–10 (cool-season annual)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden's success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"0.7g ~500+ Seeds","offer_id":44406738321542,"sku":"EWF\/F4-500-85-1125-28","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/image_41199fb4-2234-43c4-8887-8789557dbe11.png?v=1790065371","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/really-red-deer-tongue-lettuce-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}