Growing Dark Green Romaine Lettuce in Your Garden

Dark green romaine lettuce is a classic garden favorite that brings crisp, nutritious leaves to your kitchen table. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this leafy green is surprisingly easy to grow and incredibly rewarding to harvest.

Why Choose Dark Green Romaine?

Romaine lettuce stands out for its sturdy, upright growth habit and deep green color. The leaves are tender yet crisp, making them perfect for salads, wraps, and Caesar salads. Unlike some delicate lettuce varieties, romaine holds up well to handling and storage, so you can enjoy your harvest for longer.

Planting Your Seeds

Start dark green romaine lettuce from seed directly in your garden or indoors for transplanting. Plant seeds about a quarter inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7 to 10 days. Space seedlings 6 to 8 inches apart to give each plant room to develop full, healthy heads.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Romaine lettuce thrives in cool weather and prefers full sun to partial shade. Plant in spring for an early summer harvest, or in late summer for a fall crop. The soil should be rich in organic matter and well-draining. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells.

Harvesting Your Lettuce

You can begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant is established, or wait until the head reaches full size for a complete harvest. Most varieties mature in 60 to 70 days. Pick lettuce in the early morning when leaves are crisp and cool for the best flavor and texture.

Common Tips for Success

Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and slugs, and use row covers if needed. Thin seedlings early to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to disease. If temperatures rise above 75°F, your lettuce may bolt, so provide afternoon shade during hot months.

With proper care, dark green romaine lettuce delivers abundant, delicious harvests that make any garden worthwhile.

In Summary

• The Green Cos (aka Romaine Lettuce) is one of the most popular crispy salad vegetables
  
  
• This variety of lettuce is well known for its crisp green upright narrow heads of leaf that comes in dark green color
  
  
• Also grows well in containers on a patio
  
  
• Used in Cesar Salads
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  
  
• Lettuce Seeds | Lettuce can be grown practically anywhere.  For leaf types seed should be sown thinly in rows 1 foot apart. For head, Bibb, and cos types, space rows 18 inches apart.
  
  Click here for complete Lettuce grow guide