Teagan Lettuce Seeds

Lactuca sativa

When it comes to breeding, Rick Machado believes in the adage ‘only the strong survive.’ In the rugged climate of Bakersfield, California, he’s spent years selecting vegetables for drought and bolt tolerance, but it’s his culinary imagination that drew us to him. Take Teagan, a stunning, semi-heading lettuce that Rick developed in his backyard plot. Inspired by Regina dei Ghiacci (‘Ice Queen’)—an Italian lettuce with more robust flavor than conventional iceberg—he crossed the heirloom to a red leaf lettuce, hoping to combine the best of both. 

Throughout the selection process, Rick applied as much stress as possible to the plants to ensure they could endure the toughest conditions, on average saving seed from only 5 out of every 100 plants. Teagan is a testament to the power of breeding for resilience.

Days to Harvest

65 days from seeding

Appearance

Forms a very large, mostly bronze-leafed head at full maturity. Great as a leaf lettuce when harvested at smaller sizes. 

Spacing After Thinning / Transplanting

12” in-row, 18” between row

Planting

Direct sow 1/8” deep after soil temperatures reach 45°F; or start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting.

Growing

• Bolt resistant. 
• Keep well cultivated until the leaf canopy closes. 
• Maroon shading intensifies with sun exposure. 
• Well-drained soil recommended. 
• Succession plantings will ensure productivity throughout the season.

Pest + Disease Info

None

Harvest

Semi-heading type. Harvest whole head when core leaf growth has begun to tighten, about 50 days after transplanting. Holds well in the field even in hot weather.

Seed Specs

536,000 seeds/pound, approximately 70,000 seeds/acre

Adds crunch and serious flavor to sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads, and holds up nicely to grilling and roasting. Outer leaves are perfect for braising in soups and stews.