Planting A Salad Garden

Are you craving fresh garden salads?  I know I am!

Spring is the perfect time to plant what I like to call a salad garden.

LETTUCE
Lettuce is a great Spring crop.  The plants thrive in cooler weather, compared to the extreme heat of Summer.
Sow the seeds in prepared soil about 1/4 inch deep.  You can do so three to four weeks before your last frost date.
Sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks to keep fresh greens on your dinner table.
In about 45 days you can enjoy that first garden fresh salad.
Sow more seeds in late Summer / early Fall (before the first frost) to harvest salad greens again.
A favorite of ours is Black Seeded Simpson.  It is a loose leaf variety that is easy to grow and fast to produce!

This year I also planted Select Salad Blend.  It will provide a kaleidoscope of color.



KALE
Kale is an absolute favorite of mine!
Sow the seeds in prepared soil about 1/4 inch deep.
I like to sow kale seeds every couple weeks, making lots of kale chips to eat along the way.
In about 45 days you can enjoy your kale harvest.
Sow more seeds in late Summer / early Fall to harvest again.
Kale is a hardy plant and will even survive during the Winter - just mulch with straw for added protection.

I planted scarlet kale in egg shells to get an early start on the harvest.  I will plant these in the garden soon.


SPRING ONIONS
I was raised calling these GREEN ONIONS.
These onions are easy to grow and a great addition to not only salads, but any dish that requires onions.  They also make a pretty garnish.
Dig a trench about 2 inches deep.  Plant the onion bulbs close together with roots down.
Spring onions will be ready to harvest within 3 to 4 weeks.
Don't forget to eat the greens also - they are delicious!  I love to eat the entire onion raw, dipped in salt.

This year I planted yellow and white and plan to plant again in 2 to 3 weeks to keep the bounty plentiful.

After you cover the seeds and onion bulbs, give them a good drink of water to get them started.

Don't have garden space?  No problem!

Lettuce, kale, and spring onions can easily be grown in containers.

How perfect would it be to step out your door and pick a salad?!

To go along with your salad, try this garlic lemon dressing:

Garden Fresh Salad with Garlic Lemon Dressing