Dragoon

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Dragoon to a garden.

Crisp, cool-hearted leaves unfurl with a satisfying crunch and a sweet, lightly nutty finish—Dragoon Mini Romaine forms tight, upright heads that feel substantial in the hand.

The leaves are tender and finely textured, with a fresh green outer wrap and a paler, buttery center that stays pleasantly crisp from garden to table. Ideal for gardeners who want a compact romaine style at about 50 days, Dragoon shines in fresh salads and as a vibrant base for quick, no-fuss meal building, as well as for grilling or roasting for a caramel-kissed bite.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Dragoon Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	May 4th	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 18th	Jul 7th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 12th	Jul 1st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 6th	Jun 25th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 1st	Jun 20th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	Apr 27th	Jun 16th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jun 13th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 18th	Jun 7th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 13th	Jun 2nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 3rd	May 23rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Mar 25th	May 14th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 16th	May 5th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Feb 27th	Apr 18th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 2nd	Mar 24th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dragoon’s compact romaine gives you a satisfying snap with a sweet, nutty carry—especially in the pale, buttery center that stays crisp. Use it where texture matters: it stands up to sharp lemony dressings and grills nicely, so the outer leaves char lightly without collapsing the heart.

Best Uses

tight-chopped salad base that holds vinaigrette without turning watery
ice-cold lettuce cups for fast fillings and crunch-heavy wraps
grilling or roasting to caramel-kiss the edges while keeping the heart snappy

Flavor Profile

crisp, cool crunch sweet, lightly nutty flavor tender, finely textured leaves with a buttery pale center

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette Parmesan anchovy garlic olive oil grilled chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) and how do I control it at home?

For lettuce, watch closely for downy mildew and aphids, which often show up as yellowing leaves, fuzzy growth under leaves (mildew), or sticky clusters with curled new growth (aphids). Improve airflow by spacing heads/leaves properly and remove badly infected leaves early; then spray aphids off with a strong stream of water and, if needed, use insecticidal soap, targeting the undersides of leaves in the evening. Avoid wetting the foliage because Lactuca sativa is prone to mildew when leaves stay damp.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the main growth period (roughly weeks 3–7 toward the ~50-day maturity), keep the soil consistently lightly moist—aim for even moisture without waterlogging. Water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil type, and water at the base to keep leaves dry. Stress from drying out too long can cause early bitterness and slower head development in Lactuca sativa.

How can I tell when my Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants reach their expected size for your sowing density and the leaves feel full and firm rather than loose and thin. For most lettuce at about 50 days, you’ll see a well-formed rosette/head with outer leaves that can be picked cleanly; avoid waiting until leaves look overly elongated or begin to bolt (rapid stem growth). Taste-test one leaf—if it’s tender and not strongly bitter, it’s ready to cut or pick.