Planting

Romaine Lettuce

Planting Time Romaine lettuce is a cool season champ that loves to hit the garden early. Plant it in early spring or late summer when temperatures are mild. Hot weather makes it bolt faster than a greyhound chasing a rabbit, so keep it cool and comfortable. Romaine thrives when the soil is still waking up and the days are gentle.

Depth & Spacing Sow seeds one-quarter inch deep and thin seedlings to ten to twelve inches apart. Give each plant room to stretch those tall, crisp leaves. Crowded romaine gets cranky and stressed out of life, like a dog when someone parks in his spot. Ample spacing keeps airflow steady and heads growing strong.

Soil & Fertilization Romaine prefers loose, fertile soil loaded with organic matter. A little compost works wonders. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers or you will grow leaves that look impressive but taste like disappointment. Balanced soil grows romaine that crunches like a fresh apple and tastes garden fresh every time.

Watering Needs Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Romaine loves water about as much as a cowboy loves sweet tea on a hot day. Dry spells make it bitter, and swampy soil invites disease. Even moisture produces the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps hold in moisture and cools the soil during warm spells.

Sunlight Requirements Romaine thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade, especially when the weather heats up. Morning sun with afternoon shade is the dream setup. Too much heat and romaine bolts into panic mode, bolting upward like it is late for a meeting. Keep it cool and it will reward you with crisp, flavorful heads.

Harvesting You can harvest romaine leaf by leaf once the plant is well established, or wait for full harvest by cutting the entire head at the base when it reaches its mature size. Fresh romaine will snap like a twig and taste so good you will wonder why grocery stores even bother trying.

Captain Greenhouse Tip If you want romaine that will have your family thinking you are a salad genius, sow a new batch every two weeks. This keeps fresh leaves coming and avoids the heartbreak of losing the whole crop on one heat wave. And if you want to impress dinner guests, just mention that you grew the lettuce yourself. Works every time.