Romaine loves to be picked, over and over. You can pick it for dinner and think you have serious memory issues when you pick it again the next night and it looks like the same plant. I heard from a local farmer that he will start picking a row and by the time he gets to the end of it, the first plant has already starting growing back.
Yuma, Arizona is the primary grower of lettuce in the U.S. from November to March. Why those months? Because they are the coolest here. When lettuce gets stressed, either because it isn’t getting enough water or the soil temperature gets too warm (from what I’ve observed this is on days above 85 degrees), it bolts, meaning it is done and sends up a flower stalk. Like with any stressful relationship lettuce gets bitter when this happens. There is a milky substance when you snap off the leaves and lettuce that was once sweet is now tough and not pleasant to taste.
The romaine in my raised garden likes dappled shade, getting full sun at sunrise and in later afternoon. This is great in winter but will need to be adjusted in spring. I water it so the soil is not too wet but also never fully dries out. Romaine is a good buffer between thirsty plants like spinach and arid plants like thyme. Romaine gets along with everyone.
Characteristics: Low maintenance; Please pick me; Friends with just about everyone
Water: I like water on a regular basis
Sun: A mix of sun and shade is ideal
Companions: Everyone, especially dill
Enemies: Cabbage