Lettuce - Romaine - $3 pre-order and member price; $4 at plant sale

Planting romaine lettuce seedlings involves timing your transplanting with cool weather and providing rich, moist soil. Romaine is a cool-season crop that flourishes when temperatures are between 45°F and 75°F. Best Window: Plant seedlings in the garden 3 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost, or in late summer for a fall harvest. Seedling Readiness: Seedlings are ready for the garden when they are 3 to 4 weeks old or have developed 4 to 6 mature leaves. Soil: Use loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. You can amend your garden bed with 1–2 inches of finished compost before planting. Hardening Off: Gradually acclimate indoor seedlings to outdoor conditions over 3 to 10 days before transplanting to prevent shock. Spacing: Space romaine seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart in rows that are 15 to 18 inches apart. If you prefer harvesting "baby" romaine, you can plant them closer at roughly 6 inches. Depth: Dig a hole slightly larger than the seedling's root ball. Set the plant so that the soil level matches the top of the root ball, ensuring all leaves remain above ground. Settling: Gently firm the soil around the base to remove air pockets and water immediately to help roots establish. Watering: Lettuce has shallow roots and requires consistent moisture. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly providing 1 inch of water per week. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch (like straw or pine shavings) around plants to keep soil cool, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Fertilizing: Feed seedlings with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like 10-10-10) or a nitrogen-rich organic option like fish emulsion every 2 to 3 weeks. Shade: If temperatures exceed 75°F, use shade cloth or plant near taller crops like tomatoes or corn to protect the leaves from wilting and becoming bitter