( CNN ) -- Despite the recent recall of potentially contaminated Romaine , lettuce lovers do n't have to nix key ingredients from their BLTs or face lifeless , leafless salads -- they just need to go to seed . Food-borne illness has been tied to E. coli 0145 found in commercially-grown lettuce sold to wholesalers , food service outlets and some in-store salad bars and delis . Lettuce E. coli outbreak spreads to fourth state . Not only can at-home growers skip this risk -- they 'll also save money , enjoy a nearly endless variety of organic and heirloom options and have fresh salads at their fingertips all year around -- even without an outdoor garden . Restaurants assure customers lettuce is safe amid recall . Supplies you need : . Seeds . Lettuce grows in several major formats : loose leaf ( like Lolla Rossa and Black Seeded Simpson ) , crisphead ( Iceberg and Great Lakes ) , butterhead ( Bibb and Buttercrunch ) , Cos ( also called Romaine ) and stem ( mostly used in Chinese cooking ) . For small container gardens and windowboxes , loose leaf is a solid bet , as it grows quickly and does n't need to establish deep roots . Most hardware , garden and variety stores carry a range of popular seed varieties -- often for $ 1 or less -- but adventurous gardeners may wish to explore colorful , flavor-packed heirloom and certified organic single-seed packets and blends from online retailers . The Seed Savers Exchange and D. Landreth stock dozens , from blazing Mascara to deep , dark Red Velvet . Containers . Just about any will do , from store bought terracotta pots and plastic window boxes to take-out containers , foil pie pans , halved two-liter bottles and emptied-out plastic clamshells from the supermarket . The vessel just needs to be food-safe , several inches deep and perforated at the bottom to allow drainage . Starting head lettuce in peat pots inside containers allows the option for transplant into a larger garden space -- or even sharing the bounty with friends . Picture yourself : Cool gardens . Soil . If it 's going into the food , it 's going into you . If possible , opt for chemical-free or organic potting soil -- increasingly available at major hardware stores and home centers . Lighting . Lightly shaded outdoor areas are ideal , as tender young leaves are susceptible to burning in bright sunlight , but windowboxes and kitchen counters can also produce surprisingly robust crops . If natural light is n't available , cool white bulbs and fluorescent lights can successfully stimulate vegetative growth . The seedlings need about 12 hours of light a day , and gardeners may need to adjust the distance from bulb to soil to figure out what works best in their home . You will also need a spray bottle and some plastic wrap . Instructions : . Place at least 2 inches of moist , lightly-packed potting soil into a container with drainage holes . Sprinkle a sparse layer of seeds on top of the soil and follow that with a very light dusting of soil . Mist the soil with a few pumps from a water bottle , lightly cover the container with plastic wrap and place in a warm , bright spot . The seedlings should germinate in about five days . Once they have , remove the plastic wrap and keep the container in the light for around 12 hours a day . Keep the soil moist with the spray bottle or gentle watering from a can or cup . Make sure the soil is draining and not pooling at the bottom of the container . Most crops will be ready to harvest and enjoy within three to four weeks for leaf varieties , and longer for more robust heads . Just snip leaves directly into a colander , rinse and enjoy the fruits -- and vegetables -- of your labor .
Potentially contaminated Romaine lettuce recalled after E. A outbreak . To avoid vector - borne diseases , you can grow your own lettuce . You will need , seeds , water , potting materials , light , plastic and spray bottle . Seedlings should germinate in about five days after planting seeds .