Rouge d'Hiver Romaine is a cold-hardy French heirloom lettuce that thrives in cool seasons when many other varieties struggle. Its compact growth and tight rosette form produce heads 6 to 10 inches tall with remarkable frost tolerance, making it one of the few romaine varieties suited to winter and early spring harvests. Ready to cut in 20 to 65 days depending on growing conditions and harvest timing, this variety rewards gardeners who sow it in succession from early spring through late summer, delivering crisp leaves exactly when cool-weather crops are most valuable.
Partial Sun
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10in H x 10in W
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Moderate
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Cold is this variety's superpower. Where conventional lettuces bolt or wilt under frost, Rouge d'Hiver Romaine stands firm, its dense, upright leaves maintaining their texture and flavor through temperatures that would damage tenderer greens. Gardeners in cool climates or those seeking winter harvests will find this French cultivar an absolute game-changer, offering weeks of productive growth in seasons when garden beds typically sit empty. The compact form means you can tuck it into small spaces without sprawl, yet still expect substantial heads within weeks of germination.
This romaine excels in salads where its crisp, sturdy leaves hold up beautifully under dressing without becoming limp. The compact head size makes it convenient for smaller households or those who prefer single-variety meals without waste. Its cold tolerance also means it appears in early spring and late autumn harvests when fresh local lettuce is otherwise scarce, filling an important seasonal gap in cool-climate kitchens.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, or in summer when outdoor soil temperatures exceed 80°F and make direct germination difficult. Sow on the soil surface or just barely pressed into the medium; lettuce seeds need light to germinate. Keep seeds moist and cool until sprouting occurs. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they're established and can be hardened off gradually to outdoor conditions.
Transplant seedlings 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date for spring harvests. Space plants 10 inches apart each direction. In mild climates, fall and winter transplanting extends the growing season significantly. Harden off indoor-started seedlings over 7 to 10 days before final planting to avoid transplant shock.
Sow seeds directly outside 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, once soil temperature reaches at least 40°F (ideally 60 to 70°F for faster germination). Continue successive sowings every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date to ensure continuous harvests. In mild climates, fall and winter direct sowing produces excellent cool-season crops.
Harvest outer leaves once the plant is 3 to 4 inches tall for a continuous leaf supply, or wait for a fully formed compact head 6 to 10 inches tall for a single-cut harvest. Rouge d'Hiver Romaine reaches usable size in as few as 20 days under ideal conditions, though 30 to 65 days is more typical depending on season and light levels. The frost tolerance means you can leave unharvested plants in the garden through light frosts and even into early winter in many regions; simply pick leaves as needed. Harvest in the cool morning hours for maximum crispness.
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