Growing Your Own Romaine for the Freshest Caesar Salad

Why Grow Your Own Lettuce?

Store-bought romaine often has tough, strong-tasting leaves. Homegrown lettuce is among the easiest crops—quick germination, minimal fuss. In most Western areas, grow successive crops in fall and spring; mild coastal regions allow year-round cultivation.

Sowing

Start seeds 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Use flats or sixpacks with moistened potting mix. Cover seeds with 1/8 inch soil. Provide bright filtered light. Maintain soil moisture and 40-68°F temperature. For succession, sow weekly. Plant seedlings between developing heads.

Planting

Harden off seedlings over a few days. Transplant into rich, well-composted soil. Keep moist—critical first week. Containers with potting mix also work.

Harvesting

Baby leaves: harvest at 3-4 inches. Crisp heads: wait for full size.

Seed Sources

• (C) The Cook's Garden: (800) 457-9703, cooksgarden.com
• (S) Shepherd's Garden Seeds: (860) 482-3638, shepherdseeds.com
• (T) Territorial Seed Company: (541) 942-9547