How to Grow Salad Greens in Your Garden
You can grow a variety of greens in your garden. The most common garden greens are lettuce, spinach, kale, chard, mustard greens, collard greens, and turnip greens. But there are also some lesser known varieties you might want to try, like arugula, mizuna, bok choy, and tatsoi. Here are some tips to grow these tasty and healthy foods.
Sow seeds frequently. You’ll end up with an abundance of salad greens in no time. Besides, seedlings grow best in rich soil with plenty of organic matter. To ensure a healthy harvest, water seedlings with a mixture of fish emulsion and seaweed. For the best results, plant your seeds at least four weeks before you need to harvest them. You can also keep them moist for an added benefit.
Before you begin planting, sketch out your plan. This will help you determine the number of seeds you need and the spacing between rows. You can plant seeds in diagonal rows to fill in gaps and rows. Remember to complement your greens with edible flowers, which add color contrast. Nasturtiums and Johnny jump-ups are two of the best choices. Moreover, they can also provide some spice to your salad. Lastly, if you want to grow a wide range of greens, make sure to plant plenty of them.
When growing greens, you should make sure to plant them at regular intervals, usually every two weeks. Ensure that the soil is moist before seeding and avoid overwatering. After the seedlings have germinated, cover the seedbed with a row cover. This will help keep moisture in the soil and prevent wilting. If you do not, the greens will wilt and suffer a major setback.
The right temperature for growing greens will depend on the type of crop you are growing. Most greens require 50 to 75 degrees of temperatures. In cold climates, they can be planted anytime from late winter to early spring. All greens should be grown in full sun. You can plant seeds six weeks before the average last frost date and harvest your vegetables in about three weeks. After harvest, you can store your greens in the refrigerator or use them fresh.
If you want to grow greens in containers, you can choose the best container for your greens. The plants do well in a shallow container and can produce an abundant harvest. As a result, they grow well even in containers with no drainage. If you are a beginner, you can start your greens in a shallow container. To prevent them from sprouting, you can sprinkle a thin layer of compost over the seed and gently press it down.
Greens grow best in fertile, well-drained soil. If you live in a cold climate, you can grow greens all year round by using a low tunnel. This will protect your greens from frost and snow. We recommend that you cover your plants with mulch to keep weeds away and preserve the moisture in your soil. A thick mulch will also prevent weeds from competing with your greens and help keep your greens looking their best.