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Red Romaine — Lettuce | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Red Romaine
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

70-80days to harvest

7-10days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

F1 hybridContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct seed 2-4 weeks before last frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting. Succession plant every 2 weeks.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: 1 inch per week, consistent moisture
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam with organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 8-10 inches
Height: 6-12 inches
Season: Cool season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Deep burgundy-red outer leaves with green-white hearts
Size: 8-12 inches tall, 6-8 inches wide
Shape: Upright cylindrical heads with elongated leaves
Flavour: Crisp, sweet, and mild with slight mineral notes

In the kitchen

Caesar salads, grilling, wraps, fresh eating, garnish

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, cutworms, slugs, flea beetles
Diseases: Downy mildew, lettuce drop, tip burn
Resistance: Good resistance to tip burn and bolting

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	—	—	June – July	August – September
2	—	—	May – July	August – September
3	—	—	May – June	July – October
4	—	—	April – June	July – October
5	—	—	April – May	June – November
6	—	—	April – May	June – November
7	—	—	March – May	June – November
8	—	—	March – April	May – December
9	—	—	February – March	April – December
10	—	—	January – March	April – December
11	—	—	January – February	March – December
12	—	—	January – February	March – December
13	—	—	January – February	March – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and whiteflies while potentially improving lettuce flavor

ChivesDeters aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce

CarrotsDeep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, maximizes garden space

RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps break up soil and deters flea beetles

MarigoldsRepels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects

SpinachSimilar growing requirements and can be succession planted together

GarlicNatural pest deterrent against aphids, slugs, and other lettuce pests

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing them away from lettuce

Avoid

BroccoliLarge leaves create too much shade and compete for nutrients with lettuce

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of lettuce and most vegetables

SunflowersTall growth creates excessive shade and roots release growth-inhibiting chemicals

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 17
Protein (g): 1.23
Fat (g): 0.3
Carbohydrate (g): 3.29
Fibre (g): 2.1
Sugars (g): 1.19
Vitamin A (µg): 436
Vitamin C (mg): 4
Vitamin E (mg): 0.13
Vitamin K (µg): 102
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.074
Folate (µg): 136
Calcium (mg): 33
Iron (mg): 0.97
Magnesium (mg): 14
Phosphorus (mg): 30
Potassium (mg): 247
Zinc (mg): 0.23
Selenium (µg): 0.4

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Red Romaine

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Red Romaine?

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