Salad Bowl Green
Lactuca sativa 'Salad Bowl'
An exceptional loose-leaf variety that won the All-America Selections award for its outstanding performance and unique deeply-lobed, oak-like leaves. This vigorous grower provides continuous harvests throughout the season and rarely bolts, making it perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting. The frilly, decorative leaves add both beauty and nutrition to any garden or salad bowl.
Harvest
45-55d
Days to harvest
Sun
'Allstar Mix'
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-12 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Salad Bowl Green in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 lettuce →Zone Map
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Salad Bowl Green · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: 'Allstar Mix', 'Bibb', 'Black-seeded Simpson', 'Buttercrunch', 'Green Oakleaf', 'Ithaca', 'Jericho', Lactuca sativa var. augustana ('Celtuce'), 'New Red Fire', 'Pennlake', 'Red Sails', 'Salinas'. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Tiny seeds with a dandelion-like tuft (pappus) to aid in wind dispersal.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
Storage & Preservation
Immediately after harvest, rinse Salad Bowl Green leaves in cool water and spin dry thoroughly in a salad spinner. Store unwashed, dry leaves in perforated plastic bags or wrap in slightly damp paper towels inside unsealed containers in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Properly stored leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days at 32-36°F with high humidity.
For longer preservation, Salad Bowl Green works exceptionally well as microgreens – harvest 7-14 days after germination for tender, flavorful greens that store 5-7 days refrigerated. The variety also excels for succession planting rather than preservation, providing fresh harvests for 6-8 months in favorable climates.
While lettuce doesn't freeze, can, or dry well due to its high water content, you can extend the season by growing plants in cold frames or low tunnels, effectively preserving your harvest capability through light frosts down to 25°F.
History & Origin
Origin: Mediterranean to Siberia
Advantages
- +Edible: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Sap/Juice): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Chives
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor and growth
Carrots
Loosens soil for lettuce roots and doesn't compete for nutrients
Radishes
Breaks up soil and deters flea beetles that can damage lettuce
Marigolds
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and other pests that attack lettuce
Garlic
Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and slugs
Spinach
Similar growing requirements and helps maximize garden space
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve lettuce growth
Parsley
Compatible growth habits and helps repel some leaf-eating pests
Keep Apart
Sunflowers
Creates too much shade and competes heavily for water and nutrients
Broccoli
Heavy feeder that competes with lettuce for nitrogen and space
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good bolt resistance, moderate disease tolerance
Common Pests
Aphids, leaf miners, slugs, snails
Diseases
Downy mildew, lettuce mosaic virus, bottom rot