Gila

Family: Asteraceae Vegetable

Crisp, cool, and richly green from the first bite—Gila romaine forms a tall, elegant head with a tender, buttery texture and a satisfying crunch.

Its leaves hold their shape beautifully, offering a clean, refreshing flavor that shines in fresh salads and also stands up to quick tosses and hearty dressings. Grow Gila for a dependable 65-day harvest that brings garden-to-table freshness with every cutting.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 22nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gila romaine is built for the bite: tender-butter leaves that stay upright under thick dressings and don’t collapse into soggy chaos. Use it where crunch matters—wedge, Caesar, or chopped salads—then lean on acid (lemon/vinegar) and salty fats to sharpen its clean, green edge.

Best Uses

classic wedge salad with a thick blue-cheese dressing
romaine Caesar-style: quick massage for snap without wilting
hearty chopped salads where the leaves need to hold shape
grilled or toasted romaine with a charred-leaf sheen and juicy crunch

Flavor Profile

cool, clean green bitterness tender-buttery leaf texture crisp crunch with strong bite refreshing, lightly sweet finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon juice parmesan anchovy garlic olive oil crisp bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Lactuca sativa (leaf lettuce/Gila), and how can I manage it?

Watch for lettuce aphids and slugs/snails; aphids cluster on new growth and can stunt leaves, while slugs leave ragged holes at night. Spray aphids off with a strong jet of water or spot-treat with insecticidal soap, and reduce slug damage by hand-picking at dusk and using a copper barrier or slug bait formulated for vegetables. Also prevent mildew/rot by watering at the soil line and spacing plants so air moves through the canopy.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture target should I aim for?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist—typically about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and wind. In hot stretches, check daily and water when the surface starts to dry, because lettuce rapidly turns bitter and can bolt if it repeatedly dries out.

How do I tell when Lactuca sativa (Gila) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 65 days when the leaves have reached full size for the variety and the outer leaves are thick and crisp. For a cut-and-come-again approach, pick outer leaves first and leave the center growing, but if the plant starts sending up a flower stalk, harvest immediately for best quality.