Saturday 17 November 2007

Mini salads.

When I got my mini-greenhouse last month I decided to experiment with growing a few pots of salad leaves during the winter. After four weeks I now have a few baby salad leaves to harvest.
A tray of mixed salad leaves.

Rocket and Red Oak Leaf lettuce (not very red but that is probably due to low light levels).

A tray of Ruby Chard which has taken longer to germinate but is beginning to put up the first real leaves.

I didn't sow much of each as I wasn't sure how well they would grow but I am pleased with the results. The plants look much healthier and are less straggly than when I have tried to grow them on a windowsill. I won't get enough for a large salad but I will have a few leaves to add to filled rolls for packed lunches. A successful experiment and I can measure the distance travelled in food yards not food miles!

5 comments:

Heather L. said...

They look lovely! Good job!

Denise said...

I tried (foolishly it turned out) to grow salads this summer. I never managed to get more than a few leaves off some plants (the slugs got the rest!) What a good idea to grow salads in winter for using as sandwich fillers. I love "food yards" - let's hope it catches on!

Anonymous said...

I am envious of your salads! They look yummy, and pretty amazing to be sprouting in November.

barefoot gardener said...

I am green with envy!

Jan said...

Tell me how you did this... just seeds and soil on a windowsill? I have wonderful southern light and deep windowsills. Fresh lettuce would be heavenly. Besides the nearest food store is 30 miles round trip!!! Jan