Caesar Romaine Duo Lettuce
Grow your own crisp and juicy lettuce for savory Caesar salads and you’ll have an unlimited supply of gourmet-quality fresh ingredients. We’ve paired our favorite extra-fancy Romaine varieties, choosing the most delicious and easy to grow crunchy red and green leafed selections. Pick them either at baby sizes or let them grow into dense heavy heads. All you’ll need to add is the dressing and croutons for a fabulous season of wonderfully satisfying salads.
Equal parts Noga & CimarronSeed Count: Approx. 700
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
In cool early spring weather, start seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Sow 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows 6 to 8 inches apart and cover lightly. Tend carefully and keep evenly moist. Gradually thin seedlings out, allowing remaining plants to stand 10 to 12 inches apart so heads have room to mature. For a constant supply, make several sowings a few weeks apart until summer weather turns hot. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest.
GROWING NOTES
Lettuce thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. Weed, water and thin carefully for best quality heads. If birds are attracted to the young seedlings, cover them with floating row covers or netting.
HARVEST AND USE
Savor young thinnings in your first spring salads. Then harvest plants by cutting mature heads when they feel firm and well-filled out. Pull and discard or compost over-mature plants if they begin to elongate (“bolt”) in hot weather as they are bitter at this stage. These crispy colorful romaines are perfect for centerpiece Caesar salads that rival the finest restaurant. Use top quality ingredients to make dressing, or you can find my favorite recipe on our website: reneesgarden.com/recipes