Winter Density

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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Winter Density delivers a crisp, cool-sweet crunch with a dense, upright head that holds its shape through chilly weather.

Its leaves are richly textured—deep green and pleasantly firm—ideal for gardeners who want reliable, harvest-ready foliage at day’s end in winter. Grow Winter Density for fresh, sturdy romaine-style salads and for lush, full-bodied greens that stay attractive and crisp after picking.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Winter Density

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Winter Density 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	Jun 1st	Jul 26th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 19th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 13th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 9th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 7th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 2nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jun 28th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 25th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 19th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 14th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 4th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 26th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 17th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Apr 30th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 5th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 25th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Winter Density’s firm, dense leaf structure is built for cold-season eating—the crunch survives dressing and doesn’t turn rubbery. Use it where you want romaine integrity: romaine cups, chilled salads, and sandwich layers that stay upright even with slippery sauces.

Best Uses

ice-cold salads where you want lettuce to stay snappy
tightly packed romaine cups for crunchy garnishes and dips
quick charless tosses with vinaigrette that won’t collapse the leaf
sandwich layering where it needs to hold shape against wet fillings

Flavor Profile

cool-sweet, mild romaine tang sturdy crunch that resists wilting deep green, lightly bitter finish satisfyingly firm, upright leaf texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan garlic anchovy chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lactuca sativa in winter, and what should I do?

Winter lettuces (Lactuca sativa) often suffer from downy mildew (often worsens with cool, wet weather) and slugs/snails when nights stay damp. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing lower leaves that touch soil, then water early in the day so foliage dries before night. If mildew shows, avoid overhead watering and remove affected leaves; for severe outbreaks, use a labeled fungicide that lists downy mildew on lettuce and follow the label’s intervals.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing period in winter?

Keep lettuce evenly moist through the 55-day grow-out—aim for soil that stays consistently damp but not soggy. In winter, this usually means watering about once or twice per week, with the frequency adjusted to rainfall and how quickly the bed dries; check by pressing a finger 1–2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water thoroughly until the top 6 inches are moist, then let the surface lightly dry before the next watering.

How can I tell when Winter Density (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads/rosettes reach full size for your planting and the leaves feel firm instead of floppy, typically around 55 days from sowing. Look for crisp, thickened leaf texture at the base and a tight, well-formed crown; avoid waiting until the center starts stretching or flowering. For peak quality, harvest in the morning and cool immediately, especially if temperatures rise above the cool-season range.