How to Grow Detroit Dark Red
Brassica oleracea var. capitata 'Detroit Dark Red'
Detroit Dark Red is a reliable heirloom head lettuce prized for its deep red color and crisp texture. Gardeners choose this cool-season brassica for its excellent resistance to splitting and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures, making it a standout addition to spring or fall gardens.
Starting Detroit Dark Red: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost, then harden off seedlings gradually before moving them outdoors once the soil has warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil by ensuring it has a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 with good drainage. As a cool-season crop, you should sow seeds directly outdoors or start them indoors two to six weeks before the last expected frost. Plant the seed at a depth of about half an inch; germination typically occurs within five to ten days once conditions are right.
Space your plants twelve to eighteen inches apart to allow for proper head formation and air circulation. While this variety does not require trellising, consistent moisture is key; aim for one to one-and-a-half inches of water weekly. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth slows.
Watch for cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, and cutworms, using row covers or hand-picking to manage infestations early. Prevent clubroot and downy mildew by practicing crop rotation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the heads in one hundred to one-hundred ten days when they are firm and fully formed for best flavor.
When to Plant Detroit Dark Red
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | May – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | April – December |
Companion Plants for Detroit Dark Red
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits beet growth and development
Both benefit from similar soil conditions and pest management
Compatible root depths and similar growing requirements
Natural pest deterrent that repels root maggots and aphids
Grows well in beet shade and makes efficient use of garden space
Repel flea beetles and aphids that commonly attack beets
Break up compacted soil and mature quickly between beet plantings
Similar soil and water requirements, can be intercropped effectively
✗ Keep away from
Inhibits growth of most garden plants including beets through allelopathy
Allelopathic effects can inhibit beet germination and growth
Climbing growth can shade beets excessively and compete for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
