How to Grow Red Express Cos
Lactuca sativa var. longifolia 'Red Express Cos'
Red Express Cos is a reliable cool-season lettuce variety prized for its crisp texture and rapid growth. Gardeners favor this hybrid for its excellent bolt resistance and ability to thrive in zones ranging from 2 to 11, making it an easy choice for spring or fall gardens.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Red Express Cos: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 3 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors three weeks before the last frost or sow directly outdoors during that same window; if starting indoors, harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to their final location.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before sowing seeds directly outdoors. As a cool-season crop, plant seeds 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost date since they tolerate light cold. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Germination typically occurs within 6 to 10 days under consistent moisture.
Space seedlings 6 to 8 inches apart once established to ensure proper air circulation and head formation. Water consistently to provide one inch per week, maintaining even moisture without waterlogging the roots. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds while feeding lightly if growth slows.
Watch for aphids, flea beetles, cutworms, and slugs; use row covers or hand-picking to manage these pests early. Prevent downy mildew and bacterial leaf spot by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest heads when they reach maturity in 48 to 55 days after sowing by cutting the entire head at soil level.
When to Plant Red Express Cos
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| 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 |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Red Express Cos
✓ Good companions
Deep roots break up soil for shallow lettuce roots, different growth habits complement each other
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that prey on lettuce pests
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases and repel various pests
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Quick-growing radishes help break up soil and can be harvested before lettuce needs full space
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient use of garden space
✗ Keep away from
Competes for similar nutrients and space, both are heavy nitrogen feeders
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of lettuce and most other vegetables
Can attract carrot flies and competes for nutrients, may stunt lettuce growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
