Quick Growing Facts

When & Where to Grow ‘Cimarron Red Romaine’

Like other lettuces, Cimarron prefers cool weather and steady moisture, but it handles warmth better than most romaine types. Time plantings so heads mature in spring or fall for best quality.

• Spring: Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before your average last frost date, once soil is workable and at least 40–45°F (4–7°C).
• Fall: Sow 6–8 weeks before expected hard frost so heads mature in cool weather; fall crops are often sweetest.
• Mild climates: Grow in fall, winter, and early spring; avoid peak summer heat or grow in partial shade with ample moisture.
• Location: Garden beds, raised beds, and containers (at least 20–30 cm deep) in full sun to light shade.

Soil Preparation

Cimarron has shallow roots and loves loose, fertile soil that holds moisture but drains well. Prepare the bed much as you would for other lettuces or salad mixes.

• Loosen the top 8–10 in (20–25 cm) of soil and remove weeds, roots, and stones.
• Mix in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to boost fertility and moisture retention.
• Rake the surface into a fine, crumbly seedbed so the small seeds make good contact with the soil.
• In very acidic soils, a light application of garden lime before planting can improve vigor and flavor.
• Ensure good drainage; if soil is heavy clay, use raised beds or amend with compost and a bit of coarse sand.

Direct Sowing Cimarron Red Romaine Outdoors

Direct sowing is easy and works very well for romaine lettuces, especially for repeated successions in spring and fall.

1. Timing: Sow 2–4 weeks before last frost in spring, and again in late summer for fall harvest.
2. Prepare the bed: Rake the surface smooth after loosening and enriching with compost.
3. Sowing depth: Sow seeds about 1/4 in (0.6 cm) deep (1/8–1/4 in is fine; they don’t like to be buried too deeply).
4. Row spacing: Space rows 12–18 in (30–45 cm) apart.
5. Seed spacing: Sow seeds about 1 in (2–3 cm) apart; you’ll thin later to the final plant spacing.
6. Water: Water gently with a fine spray and keep the top layer consistently moist until seedlings emerge.

Starting Lettuce Indoors (Optional)

Indoor sowing gives a small head start and helps in regions with short springs or hot summers where outdoor soil temperatures quickly become too warm for germination.

• Sow 4–6 weeks before your last expected frost date.
• Use cell trays with a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix.
• Sow 2–3 seeds per cell at about 1/8–1/4 in (0.3–0.6 cm) deep or pressed into the surface, then thin to one strong seedling.
• Keep at 60–70°F (15–21°C) with even moisture and bright light to avoid leggy growth.
• Transplant when seedlings have 3–4 true leaves and nights are reliably above freezing.

Thinning, Spacing & Transplanting

Proper spacing helps Cimarron form tall, dense heads and improves airflow, which reduces disease pressure.

• Thin direct-sown seedlings once they are 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) tall.
• For full heads, thin or transplant to 6–12 in (15–30 cm) between plants, depending on how large you want the heads.
• For baby-leaf production, plants can be kept closer, about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) apart or grown densely in a cut-and-come-again bed.
• Transplant on a cool, cloudy day or in the evening; plant at the same depth as in the tray and water in well.
• Use thinnings as tender baby salad greens.

Succession Sowing for Continuous Harvest

Cimarron is slow-bolting, but like all lettuces it eventually matures and may bolt in heat. Succession sowing keeps your harvest steady and high-quality.

• Sow a small patch every 2–3 weeks during the cool parts of the season instead of one large planting.
• In summer, choose slightly shadier locations or use shade cloth and water consistently.
• Harvest or remove plants that begin to bolt (form a tall flower stalk) and replace with fresh sowings.

Watering & Feeding

Steady moisture and moderate fertility produce crisp, sweet leaves and well-formed heads.

• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid extremes of very dry then very wet soil.
• Mulch: A light mulch of compost or straw helps maintain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil cool.
• Feeding: In fertile soil, compost at planting is often enough. In poor soil or containers, use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea lightly once or twice during the growth period.

Pests & Diseases

Healthy, fast-growing Cimarron plants are relatively trouble-free, but a few common lettuce pests and diseases can occur, especially in damp or crowded conditions.

• Slugs & snails: Common in cool, damp weather. Use traps, barriers, or hand-picking and avoid heavy mulch right at the crown.
• Aphids: Rinse off with water or use insecticidal soap if infestations build up.
• Leaf miners & chewing insects: Remove affected leaves and use row covers if damage is heavy.
• Fungal diseases (downy mildew, rot): Provide good spacing and airflow, water at soil level, and avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
• Bolting: Heat and drought hasten bolting; shade and consistent moisture help, but focus on cool-season harvests.

Harvesting ‘Cimarron Red Romaine’

Baby Leaves & Cut-and-Come-Again

• Begin harvesting baby leaves about 3–4 weeks after sowing, when they are 2–4 in (5–10 cm) long.
• Use scissors to cut outer leaves or trim plants about 1–2 in (2–5 cm) above the soil, leaving the growing center to regrow.
• Plants can often give two or more cuttings under good conditions.

Whole Heads

• Harvest full heads when they reach about 10–12 in (25–30 cm) tall and feel full and firm, usually 55–65 (up to 70) days from sowing.
• Cut the entire head at the base with a sharp knife, just above the soil line.
• Harvest in the cool of the morning for crispest texture and best storage.
• If plants begin to elongate and form a central stalk, harvest immediately; flavor turns more bitter as bolting progresses.

Storing & Using Cimarron Lettuce

• Rinse leaves or heads in cool water and spin or pat dry thoroughly.
• Store in a breathable or lightly sealed container/bag in the refrigerator; use within about 5–7 days for best quality.
• Enjoy in Caesar salads, mixed salads, wraps, burgers, and sandwiches; the red-bronze leaves add color and crunch.
• Combine with green lettuces, herbs, and edible flowers for restaurant-style salads straight from your garden.

Saving Seed from ‘Cimarron Red Romaine’

Lettuce is mostly self-pollinating, making Cimarron fairly easy to save seed from. It will bolt, flower, and set seed if allowed to mature in warm weather.

• Select healthy, vigorous plants and allow them to bolt and flower after you’ve finished harvesting leaves.
• Plants produce tall stalks with small yellow flowers, followed by fluffy seed heads.
• When seed heads turn dry and fluffy, cut stalks and place them in a paper bag or over a tray.
• Rub heads gently to release the small seeds and remove excess chaff.
• Store seeds in a labeled, airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place; lettuce seeds generally remain viable for several years.

Tips for Success

• Time sowings so most growth happens in cool weather — spring and fall give the best quality.
• Use small, frequent succession plantings for a continuous supply of colorful heads and baby leaves.
• Keep soil consistently moist and moderately fertile to avoid stress and bitterness.
• Take advantage of Cimarron’s heat tolerance, but still offer afternoon shade in very hot climates.
• Grow near the kitchen or in containers so you can harvest striking red-bronze leaves at their freshest right before meals.

Note: Growing conditions and timing vary by region. Adjust sowing dates, watering, and heat or frost protection to match your local climate and weather patterns.