Grow a garden filled with Red Romaine Lettuce, from freshly harvested Lactuca sativa seeds. Red Romaine is a heirloom variety that has been passed down from generation to generation. Like most lettuce varieties, it goes great in salads, adding a tart flavoring, with a mild crunch. The leaves are green to red, resembling the Lollo rosso variety. Red Romain prefers a cooler season, and will develop the best flavor and color within the Spring season, and in the early Months of Autumn.

Lettuce originated in much of Egypt, where they cultivated it as a food. It later spread to other cultures around the globe. Many of the heirloom varieties that are available today, have lasted centuries, just like Red Romaine. Lettuce is grown as an annual crop, and will go from seed to crop in a single growing season. The plants of Red Romaine are slow to bolt, but with patience they will eventually produce seeds, later in the Summer to fall season. Combine Red Romaine with any number of additional varieties offered from our Lettuce seed category, for a delicious salad blend thats bursting with flavor and color.

Red Romaine Lettuce will be ready for harvest in roughly 50 to 55 days after first sprouts appear.

SOWING THE SEED

Lettuce seeds can be started indoors, or directly outdoors as well. If started indoors, choose large peat pots, at least 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide. Sow the seeds in groups of 4, at a depth of 1/16" under topsoil, so that they are barely covered. Transplant entire peat pots outdoors, or direct sow when the weather has become mildly warm. Do not sow deeper than the recommended sowing depth mentioned above, as Lettuce will require a bit of direct light to germinate properly.

GROWING CONDITIONS

Lettuce will thrive in areas of partial sun, meaning that they should receive about 5 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. Lettuce plants prefer cooler temperatures of 45F to 65F and will flourish in loose, fertile soils, just make sure that the sowing medium is also well drained. To increase your drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily to ensure that the ground is moist, but never soaked.

GERMINATION & GROWTH

Lettuce will typically begin to germinate within 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 8 to 12 inches tall, spreading to a good 10 inches wide. The plants can be spaced roughly 12 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. This variety is heat resistant, but performs best in cooler weather. Slow to bolt.

HARVESTING RED ROMAINE LETTUCE

Red Romaine Lettuce can be harvested within 50 to 55 days, when the heads are roughly 8 to 10 inches in size, and brightly colored green. Rinse and enjoy, or store in the fridge for later use. Keep in mind that storing your Lettuce with other fruits, such as apples and pears is not recommended, as this can cause the leaves to brown.