Nothing will taste better than a crisp salad fresh from your own garden. And now’s the time to plant! Grow the varieties of vegetables that you and your family like or would like to try.
Start Your Tomatoes And Peppers Indoors:
The first step in growing your own salad garden is to start your early varieties, such as tomatoes and peppers, indoors. Starting seed indoors is simple. Below is a list of the items that you will need (all of which can be found at your local Lowe’s store):
- Plastic grow tray (any tray with short sides to hold water will work)
- Peat pots
- Seed-starting mixture
- Seed packets
- Plastic wrap
Gardening Tips: How to Grow Your Own Salad
Once you have all the needed materials, place your peat pots in the grow tray, and fill them full of the seed starting mixture. Sprinkle 3 – 4 seeds over mixture in each pot. Press in or lightly cover seeds. Water each pot. Cover your entire tray with plastic wrap. Place the tray in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Make sure that your soil always remains moist.
When your seeds begin to sprout, take the plastic wrap off. Next, pick a sunny spot for your “inside garden” (a kitchen window sill is perfect). Be sure to turn the tray every two days, as your plants will always grow towards the sunlight. Don’t forget to keep your soil moist (but not soggy)!
When the danger of frost has passed, it is time to transplant your seedlings into the garden. Your seedlings must be “hardened off” before being planted into the ground. Begin this process by setting the tray outside, in shade, for 2-3 hours on the first day. Then, during the next week, set your plants outside a little longer each day and slowly expose them to full sunlight. After the week is over, transplant your seedlings into the garden.
Planting Instructions For Other Salad Ingredients
After all danger of frost has passed, it is time to plant your salad garden. (NOTE: Cucumbers should not be planted until about 2 or 3 weeks after all danger of frost is passed). Be sure to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight where the soil drains well after rain (no puddles).
You will need to begin by preparing the soil. It is always a good idea to test your soil since it could be lacking in essential nutrients. Your soil can be tested easily using a soil test kit which can be purchased at your local Lowe’s store. Simply follow the instructions on the kit, and you will know within minutes if your soil needs a boost. Rake the area clear of weeds and sticks before adding any necessary fertilizers. Next, use a shovel to dig the garden– the soil should be loosened down to about 12″.
It’s Time to Plant the Seeds
Use a garden trowel to make your rows. Plant your seeds and cover them according to the spacing directions on the back of the seed packet. IMPORTANT: Do not cover too deeply. Once you plant a packet, rubber band the empty packet to a stick to put at the end of the row so you will know where you planted each variety.
Your salad garden will begin to grow before you know it. Check it every day for new sprouts and blooms. If there has been no rain for a week, water the plants by slowly pouring water around the base of each — enough to soak in where the roots are. Try to keep the leaves dry. Keep an eye out for insects, picking them off as you see them. You should have all the ingredients for a tasty salad in no time!
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