Grow a Salad Garden for Plentiful Greens All Season Long

If you love salads as much as I do, lettuce and other salad greens are some of the best (and easiest) spring vegetables to grow at home. Leaves develop quickly, and you can clip as many as needed at a time. New ones will continue to grow from clipped plants, meaning you will definitely be able to cross at least one ingredient off your shopping list once the plants are in full swing.

With warmer night temperatures here to stay, I’ll be filling the raised lettuce beds this weekend, but you can also plant seeds in deep hanging baskets and portable planters. Consider this encouragement to visit your favorite garden shop, plan for some beautiful recipes with new varieties of greens, and envision yourself enjoying them al fresco during golden hour.

Enjoy the gardening tips below to learn how to grow lettuce, arugula, spinach, and your preferred greens at home. I’ll also share some recipes for showcasing your harvest.

Here are some tips to help you start (as well as some recipes):

• Select a variety of lettuce seeds. While exploring the options, don’t limit yourself to the varieties of lettuce you typically purchase at the market. Consider your salad garden a chance to experiment with new flavors.
• Tiny bugs love tender lettuce leaves. For that reason, consider using raised beds or airy netting to protect young lettuce.
• Direct sow seeds about ⅛-inch deep (unless your seed packet advises otherwise, such as for spinach) once night temperatures are consistently in the mid-40s. Lettuce doesn’t mind a bit of an overnight chill.
• If you plant to cut-and-come-again, plants only need about 4 inches of space around them.
• Find a sunny spot for your plants. Lettuce loves full or partial sun so make sure plants are not situated in a shady area of the yard.
• Harvest lettuce frequently or it will bolt, which you will notice by a tall center stem versus plentiful leaves.
• Clip lettuce close to the stem starting with the outside leaves.

In addition to the recipes below, remember to subscribe to Thirsty Radish (and invite a friend!) or sign up for your very own cooking class in which I personalize seasonal recipes for you.

Once your garden is in full swing, serve plenty of the greens in this beautiful salad with strawberries and pine nuts. Tossed with a tasty vinaigrette, your garden harvest will pair well with sweet strawberries and savory, sometimes smoky, tomatoes.

When you’re in the mood for a light twist on a creamy dressing all those greens, try a Greek yogurt based Caesar dressing (pictured at the top of this article). This recipe also makes a great dip.

If you grow lettuce in the early fall, when it also thrives, this harvest salad with a cider dressing will make you so happy you did.