Question
I'd like to know the best way to grow salad greens throughout the summer. Can I plant them in succession so that I'll have 4 months of salad? Also, I live in a foggy pocket of the east bay - does that make a difference?
Beth
El Cerrito
Answer
The easiest way to get your summer greens going is to start with pre started cell or jumbo packs. You can always supplement with a sowing of seed.
Should you opt for seeding only, be sure that you do not bury the seeds too
deeply. The best results with lettuces and greens is to prepare the bed (be
sure to mix in Loam Builder and Agricultural lime) so the soil is nice and crumbly. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and then water. The seeds will settle into the soil at the right depth. Carrots and Lettuces need UV light to germinate! You do not need to pull up whole heads, it is better to cut the plants off about an inch above the soil. The greens will quickly regrow. Feed with a liquid fertilizer such as Maxsea All Purpose after cutting. Should you want to pull up whole heads or the plants begin to slow down coming back, you can resow or plant every 3-4 weeks to keep a fresh crop coming. The fact that you live in a cool, foggy location is actually a blessing for growing greens. They do not like it hot. We actually recommend planting in part shade in our hotter areas.
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