Simply put, wow…Apache has intense dark red glossy leaves, oval with frizzy edges, growing in a loose rosette – this is a true showstopper. Flavour wise the hearts are crisp & almost sweet whilst the surrounding leaves have a more savoury taste: this double dose of flavour makes Apache very desirable. Plus you can choose to grow heads or cut-&-come-again if you are in a hurry, and sowing is possible from spring to early winter!
Did you know lettuces do not like germinating in hot weather? Hot weather sends the seeds to sleep (its called seed dormancy), so store your lettuce seed in a cool place then when you are ready for starting find a shady spot to sow them and cool the soil or compost…soak it with water and repeat for 2-3 days before sowing. Transplant your lettuce seedlings to shadier parts of the garden (morning sun if fine, it is the hottest afternoon sunshine that they need shading from: you can plant your lettuces in the shade of much taller plants, like tomatoes, corn, and squash or amongst your borders.
