Red Sails Lettuce

I started with six 4" starter plants of Red Sails Lettuce from Al's Garden Center. I planted them directly into the garden 6" apart in two rows 6" apart in full sun. Red Sails lettuce is a loose-leaf lettuce with bronze-red, crinkled leaves. (right) My lettuce on June 25th, 2009, it is about 6" now.

Growing Tips: Red Sails Lettuce prefers full sun in Spring and Fall, part sun in Summer. Plant 8" apart.

Harvesting: Red Sails Lettuce matures in 45 days, cut off at base.

Romaine Lettuce

I started with six 4" starter plants of Romaine Lettuce from Al's Garden Center. I planted my lettuce directly into the garden in two rows with 12" between each plant in full sun. (right) My Romaine two days before I harvested the back row in June 2009.

• Day 1 (05.25.09): Planted starter lettuce plants directly into the garden.
• Day 20 (06.13.09): Plants in the back row are growing twice as quickly as the front row. Front row is only 6" tall while the back row is almost mature.
• Day 22 (06.15.09): Harvested one of the plants in the back row. Very tasty!
• Day 40 (07.03.09): Harvested one of the plants in the front row, also very tasty! The smell of freshly cut lettuce is amazingly aromatic.

Growing Tips: Romaine prefers full sun in the spring and fall and partial sun in the summer. Plant 12" apart.

Harvesting: Romaine matures in 75 - 85 days. To harvest, cut from the base with a knife and then pull out the remaining root. Immediately dunk in cold water and refrigerate or use.

Head Lettuce

I started with two 1" starter plants of Head Lettuce from Al's Garden Center. I planted them in two medium-sized containers, one terra-cotta and one plastic and put them in full sun. This lettuce produces delicious, solid heads that are both crisp and tender. (right) My lettuce on June 13th, 2009 about 35 days in.

Growing Tips: Head Lettuce prefers full sun and water 2-3 times per week until established. Plant 12" apart or in their own containers.

Harvesting: Head Lettuce matures in 60-90 days and the outside leaves can be harvested as desired or the entire head upon maturity.