The merlot colored leaves of the Red Romaine Lettuce are especially beautiful and delicious in Caesar salads. Long, wide, spooned shaped leaves have a crisp, crunchy texture. At maturity this plant stands at 12 tall but it can be harvested earlier for little baby heads of romaine.

300 seeds

PLANTING

Lactuca sativa

Germination:4-10 days

Germination Temperature:Optimum soil temperatures 60-70F. Soil temperatures above 75 F inhibits germination.

Seed Sowing Depth: inch deep

Starting Indoors:Start 3-4 weeks before planting outside.Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot, thinning to one per cell/pot. Provide 60-70F soil temperatures. Transplant out, 8-12 apart in rows 12 apart.

Sowing Outdoors:Spring when soil temperature reaches at least 50F. Sow 1 apart, thin to 6-12, depending on the size of lettuce you want, baby to full heads. Keep soil moist during germination. Sow every 2-3 weeks for a longer harvest period. Sow heavy seeded rows every 10-14 days for baby greens using the 1/2 oz. Pinetree Lettuce Mix.

How much does a packet plant:25-40foot single row

Harvest:Cut whole heads, full sized or baby at base or snipe off individual leaves.

Tips:Red Romaine Lettuce needs fertile soil for optimum growth. Work in compost or well rotted manure into your soil before planting. Provide adequate, even moisture for the best growth. Mulching helps retain moisture.