Growing romaine lettuce A guide from seed to harvest

If you garden in a climate with a hot summer and a cold winter, don't just grow romaine in the spring. Plant a second crop of romaine by sowing seeds in the late summer for an autumn harvest. The ideal time is 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost.

How do you start romaine lettuce from seed?
How long does it take to grow lettuce from planting to harvest?
How long does it take to grow romaine lettuce from seed?
When should you harvest romaine lettuce?
Will romaine lettuce regrow after cutting?
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
How often should Lettuce be watered?
Can you plant lettuce seeds directly in the ground?
How many lettuce seeds do you plant in one hole?
Can I grow romaine lettuce from store bought?
Does lettuce need full sun?

How do you start romaine lettuce from seed?

Seeds need light to germinate; sow at a very shallow depth by covering with a thin layer of growing medium. Sow seed 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. When plants have two or three true leaves, thin to 12-inch spacings for crisphead varieties, 6 to 10 inches for other types.

How long does it take to grow lettuce from planting to harvest?

Depending on the variety it can take anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks from sowing to become ready for harvest. Lettuces are one of the easiest and more fascinating edible plants to grow in the vegetable patch.

How long does it take to grow romaine lettuce from seed?

Most lettuce varieties mature in 45 to 55 days, allowing many gardeners to plant two or even three crops. But looseleaf and butterhead leaves can be harvested at just about any time in their development. Heading varieties take longer to mature. Romaine takes 75 to 85 days and crisphead 70 to 100 days.

When should you harvest romaine lettuce?

Harvest the lettuce when it reaches between 6 and 8 inches tall, with leaves that begin to tighten. Check the romaine in the morning when it nears harvest time. Harvesting first thing in the morning is ideal, because the lettuce is more crisp in the morning than it is later in the day.

Will romaine lettuce regrow after cutting?

Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.

Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?

Imbibing or soaking the seeds in cool water for 16–24 hours in a well-lit area before planting will increase the germination percentages greatly.

How often should Lettuce be watered?

Water your lettuce plants every day—and even more often if it is extremely hot and dry. The lettuce leaves are mostly water and will desiccate and wilt in strong sunlight and dry soil. Lettuce roots tend to be shallow, so frequent watering is more important than deep watering.

Can you plant lettuce seeds directly in the ground?

When sowing seeds directly into the soil, you should plant approximately 10 seeds per foot. Space your rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Thin leaf lettuce seedlings to 4 inches apart. Romaine and butterhead lettuce seedlings require 6 to 8 inches between each plant.

How many lettuce seeds do you plant in one hole?

Lettuce. Germination rates are around 80%, so anywhere from 1 to 3 seeds are often planted per hole. Plant at least two to guarantee a high per-hole germination rate of 96%.

Can I grow romaine lettuce from store bought?

Romaine lettuce is a convenient plant to buy for the garden, and one of those edible greens that thrives in a container. It is quite easy to grow lettuce from seedlings, but for those who want little fuss, it is entirely possible to just buy the lettuce at the grocery store to be regrown.

Does lettuce need full sun?

Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. ... Give lettuce fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.