Romana Bionda is a traditional Italian romaine lettuce with elongated blond-green leaves, crisp texture and a refined flavour that ordinary lettuce cannot match. Forms large, compact heads. Very slow to bolt, which means it stands in the garden for weeks without turning bitter.
This is the lettuce you want for a proper Caesar salad. The sturdy leaves hold dressing without wilting. Sow in succession from spring to late summer for a continuous supply.
🌱 Sowing information
Sow from February to September in trays or directly outdoors. Cover lightly and keep soil evenly moist until germination.
☀️ Light exposure
Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, especially in warm climates.
💧 Water needs
Water regularly to maintain crispness and prevent bitterness. Avoid waterlogging.
🌡️ Germination temperature & time
Germinates in 7–14 days under mild, steady temperatures.
📏 Plant spacing & final size
Transplant seedlings 25–30 cm apart. Forms tall, compact romaine heads.
Bullet Technical Data
🌱 Sowing depth: 0.5 cm
📅 Sow: February–September
☀️ Light: full sun / partial shade
🌡️ Germination: 7–14 days
📏 Height: 25–35 cm
🪴 Spacing: 25–30 cm
⏳ Harvest: May–October
🔢 Seeds: approx. 4 g
When to sow
March to August for succession planting. In Ireland you can sow every three to four weeks from March through to early August for a continuous harvest. Sow direct or in modules, thin to 25cm apart.
How to grow
Lettuce is the easiest vegetable to grow in Ireland. It prefers cool weather, which Ireland provides for most of the year. The only enemy is slugs. A ring of grit around each plant is usually enough. Harvest outer leaves first and the plant keeps producing for weeks.
Recipe idea
Caesar salad, the simple version. Tear the leaves, dress with a mix of Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil and a small amount of garlic. No anchovy needed unless you want it. The point is the crunch of the romaine against the sharp dressing.
