Winter Leaves / Salads

[muckdiva]

Have gotten a bit behind (actually forgot) to make a last sowing of winter lettuce and leafy stuff for salads. Is it too late? I don’t have a polytunnel but could use a cold frame or fleece...

[Penellype]

It is possibly a little late, but worth a try. I would be inclined to germinate them on a windowsill to get them going, and put them out in the cold frame on a milder day. They should grow slowly over winter and give you some leaves to eat in spring.

[greenishfing]

I intend starting some winter lettuce on my windowsill as soon as I remember to bring some cells and trays home to do it. I did it last year and then moved them to the greenhouse a soon as they appeared. They did really well but I can't remember when I harvested them.

[Bren In Pots]

My winter lettuce is in the GH border but only this week I've sown some more a like Pen says leave it on a window sill first it will help to get it going. Micro greens and pea shoots also do well over winter on window sills.

[Can the Man]

I have some seedlings growing in my poly tunnel that I plan to sow out in raised beds tomorrow or Monday

[veggiechicken]

Its never too late, according to the VC Book of Gardening Advice.

If in doubt, sow Cut and Come again leaves, microgreens or buy a punnet of living salad from a supermarket and replant the contents.

[muckdiva]

Thanks guys, that’s my job for tomorrow then

[MyWifesBrassicas]

Its never too late, according to the VC Book of Gardening Advice.

If in doubt, sow Cut and Come again leaves, microgreens or buy a punnet of living salad from a supermarket and replant the contents.

Are all salads suitable as a Cut and Come again, or is it the case that some are and some aren't?
Which varieties are and which aren't, in the quest of knowledge

[muckdiva]

Are all salads suitable as a Cut and Come again, or is it the case that some are and some aren't?
Which varieties are and which aren't, in the quest of knowledge

Do all the supermarkets do those living salad punnets? Never noticed them but will have a look...

[muck lover]

I might try mizuna sowing into polytunnel beds as it’s grown outside through the winter for me before. And the slugs have to eat something over winter after all.

[muckdiva]

Thought I’d have a look for living salad at the supermarket but no joy...I’m guessing it’s more available through the summer? I did find rocket and cress micro greens in Waitrose so will have a go planting the rocket out and let you know how it goes.

[SarrissUK]

I often see the living salads in L1dl and Ald1

[muckdiva]

Well most things have sprouted - used a heated propagator - but soon they’ll have to have a rude awakening re temperature

[Chestnut]

^^^^ suggest give them a few days stopover on a windowsill, before going outside - eases them in to their new surroundings more gradually ;-)

I was reminded by this thread, so have sowed my baby leaf salads today in the greenhouse at the plot (it gets plenty of daylight, as no trees etc shading it).
Seed packets said sow up to end of October, so definitely worth a try!

[muckdiva]

Yes, will definitely give them a bit of windowsill time. Sowed my home saved lettuce seeds and they’ve germinated ok so feeling relieved about that - having sent some in to the VSP and All in Circle.