Growing Your Own Salad Greens

Growing your own salad greens can provide a source of fresh, flavorful leafy vegetables. Salad greens are generally easy to grow and include a variety of leaf lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and kale.

Container Gardening

You may live in an apartment or small residence where a traditional garden may not be possible. Consider a container garden. Container gardens are suitable for vegetables and herbs and are ideal for small spaces. Container gardening is perfect for beginner gardeners.

• Portable and can be placed around a balcony, deck, or patio
• Any container can be used
  • Choose a container has never held chemicals or toxic materials
  • Container should not be glazed on the inside of the pot as it often contains lead
• The size of the container will depend on the plants.
  • A container should be at least 18 inches across and 6 – 12 inches deep
  • For plants like tomatoes consider a bigger container
• Planting
  • Salad seeds can be planted much closer together than other vegetables
  • Potting soil should be a good quality mixture, formulated for the climate you live
  • Moisten the potting soil a few hours before planting, but don’t soak it through
  • Spread the seeds apart about ½ inch, and then sprinkle about ¼ inch of potting soil on top
  • Keep the soil moist but not saturated

Caring for your Garden

Container gardening requires more frequent watering because the plants can dry out quickly.  You might have to water your container garden daily. Apply fertilizer in half-strength when the plants are about 4 inches tall.

Harvesting

Harvesting can begin in just a few weeks.

• Cut only what you need and leave the other plants to grow
• When the greens reach a height of 4 – 6 inches
  • Use a pair of scissors to cut the plants
  • Leave about an inch to resume growth
• After a few cuttings, the lettuce my start to get tall or elongated
  • This is a sign the plant is bolting
  • Lettuce tends to be bitter, so it is best to remove any plants that bolt

Storing and Serving

After you pick the salad greens, refrigerate them at 35°F to 40°F. Wash thoroughly under running water right before using them.

Benefits

Growing your own salad greens can be very satisfying.

• May increase family’s interest in preparing and eating fruits and vegetables
• Gives children the opportunity to grow their own little garden
• Helps them learn about where food comes from
• Can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and be physically active
• An excellent source of nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber