This is the first year I’ve grown Maravilla de Verano Canasta and it’s a real winner. Sweet tasting, tinged with red (more pronounced in cooler weather) and the beautiful wavy leaves come with a good crunch (and softer edges) . What’s not to love? It’s my favourite lettuce this year.
It’s a good time to sow some now for autumn salads and seeds are available from Nicky’s Nursery . Nicky tells me that this lovely French variety tied for first place in a taste trial by Christine McFadden (aka The Dorset Foodie) for the RHS with Raymond Blanc in 2007. They thought it had an excellent, fresh, sweet flavour and was well-balanced, juicy and crisp. Couldn’t agree more.
p.s. Lettuces won’t germinate in temperatures over 25 degrees C. Sow late in the day/early evening if you’re planning to sow while the weather is still so hot.
Out of my shed 
That looks fab – I must try some 🙂 Black Seeded Simpson is my favourite of the year so far, closely followed by Dazzle and Relic
Hi VP., Planted some Black Seeded Simpson a few weeks ago for the first time, so really looking forward to these now! Dazzle and Relic on next years list to try!
I grew it for the first time this year too, delicious and pretty, isn’t it. I really must get my act together and sow some salads to fill the beds. The last lot has gone to seed…
Hi Janet, Every time I have a spare moment to sow, it seems to be 30 degrees! Hoping for cooler temps next week so I can sow a few more modules. My Solix and Chatsworth have gone to seed, but Navarra, Freckles as well as Maravilla de Verano Canasta hanging on in there, despite the roasting weather.
fantastic…I looked it up and can get the seeds over here!
Hurrah! Well worth it Linda!
I was thinking about starting my fall veg crop just the other day. Thanks for the timely post.
Hi Christine, Good to hear from you. It’s been so darned hot here that it’s too warm to sow lettuces-unbelievable really! Finally had a bit of stormy rain yesterday, and temps cooling a little over the weekend. Itching to get sowing more lettuces, and to try out some chicory and endives for autumn too….
Mmmmm Naomi – will have to look this one up. Not only does it look good but it sounds most tasty too. Hopefully it will cool down soon to provide lettuces with more favourable conditions for germination 🙂
Hi Anna, Good reminder about sowing when cooler-have added this to the post-Thanks!
I love all those soft flouncy oak leaf lettuces. Navarra and Cocarde are wonderful. They look great and add colour to the salad bowl, but I definitely need plenty of crunch (and sweetness) in there too and Maravilla de Verano Canasta is perfect for this.
Sounds like an interesting lettuce! I was just thinking about sowing some more so I might well give this a go!
Hi Anna, looks like there’s going to be some cooler days ahead, so perfect time to get sowing again. Hopefully I’ll be sowing again tomorrow, but some new creature (not sure if it’s a squirrel or bird) seems to be invading my mini greenhouses and chopping off the tops of my small seedlings-GRrr….Always a new challenge! N x
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