Even if put in partial shade, this garden will provide many bowls of lettuce, greens, and herbs for fresh salads. These veggies and herbs love cool weather, so plant them in the spring or fall and begin harvesting just two or three weeks later. (Just be sure to leave a few of the smallest, newest leaves at the center of the plant to grow out for the future.) These plants are placed a little closer than usual, so you can harvest the outer leaves often. You'll need four containers (sizes equal pot diameters): one 24″, two 18″, and one 14″. Feel free to mix things up a bit, too, replacing some of the items to make sure you get enough of your favorites.
For excellent results, fill containers with premium quality potting mix, such as Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix (which is the ideal weight and texture for container growing) and feed plants regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition to ensure they get all the nutrition they need. Be sure to plant strong, vigorous young Bonnie Plants® for a short path to an impressive harvest.
If you've got a little more space in your yard, the Fresh and Early 4 x 4-Foot Salad Garden is another great option.
Plants you'll need for your Salad Container Garden
- 6-10 spinach plants
- 1-3 kale plants
- 6-8 buttercrunch lettuce plants
- 1 curled parsley or flat Italian parsley plant
- 1 arugula plant
- 2 romaine lettuce plants
- 1 onion chives plant
- 2 red leaf lettuce plants