Best container for cut and come again salad leaves?

[Alison]

I always sow my cut and come again lettuce directly into a shallow trough. I sow reasonably thickly to cover for lack of germination and then thin out and use the thinnings as garnish (posh eh?). I also sow single seeds of cos lettuce (or similar) in modules and plant them on into pots also, plant a couple each week so that I have a continuous supply throughout the summer.

[King Carrot]

I use fish boxes for cut leaves - as well as washing up on the beaches there's alot of fishing activity around here so always some to be had from somewhere!

KC

[Demeter]

My problem is that I don't seem to be finding the correct container to grow said leaves in and usually end up with sparse, straggly things that just about feed me once.

Is it definitely the container that is the problem? Just wondering because people seem to use all kinds of different shapes and sizes successfully so maybe it is something else? Too much / not enough light / water / something? (Very helpful I know, just call me Mrs Stupid Questions)

[shirlthegirl43]

Is it definitely the container that is the problem? Just wondering because people seem to use all kinds of different shapes and sizes successfully so maybe it is something else? Too much / not enough light / water / something? (Very helpful I know, just call me Mrs Stupid Questions)

Starting to think the same way. I usually get a good germination and one nice feed but then they fade to nothing and just disappear. Long time to wait for one meal. Deffo not too little light but wondering if the greenhouse is not the place to keep the container. Don't remember my mum growing salad as it was so cheap to buy back then, so have no reference point in memory as I do for most other stuff.

[Herbie]

I use a window trough, works ok. I tend to sow quite thickly but they always get used.

The trough that I sowed in late Feb is coming on a treat and I think we will have to start picking this week. I brought another trough from Pound Stretcher for £1.99 to try sucessional sowings, must remember to sow this week.

[NSB]

I planted some in one of those blue meshy mushroom trays with tin foil around the inside.

[MrsC]

window trough x 2 outside back door, they always come on a treat, sowed outdoors 3 weeks ago around 2" now, also plant direct into veg bed in garden

[Demeter]

Starting to think the same way. I usually get a good germination and one nice feed but then they fade to nothing and just disappear. Long time to wait for one meal. Deffo not too little light but wondering if the greenhouse is not the place to keep the container. Don't remember my mum growing salad as it was so cheap to buy back then, so have no reference point in memory as I do for most other stuff.

When you cut them, do you leave enough of the plant to regrow? You need to leave an inch or so of stem and a couple of buds. (Hark at me, as if I know what I'm talking about.) Can't see why the greenhouse would be a bad place to grow it, unless maybe it's getting very hot?

[sallyw]

cant contribute to this as i've never grown them although i did plant some mixed leaves today (some peppery mix) some rocket i've used general purpose potting compost and sown them in clear plastic cups, i was thinking i would transfer to bigger pots when they became more established, ps this is the second sowing in the last couple of weeks the first shoots were promptly chewed off by a little mouse called mickey who unfortunately is no longer of this world due to a little wooden trap and a piece of kitkat (sorry !!)

[sunflower]

I use square seed trays. They are about 6" by 6". I sow evenly and quite thickly......about half a packet per tray. Takes about 18 days until harvest. This year I bought different varieties...Italian, Californian, French etc. I NEVER thin out and never transpose them as they are too fast growing and do'nt like being disturbed. I use the leaves in my lunch box for work. When finished, after several cuttings, (they become bitter after a few harvestings)I put the remains of the contents in the tray into the hen run to finish off. They love it.

[sunflower]

P.S. Not enough all round light lead to straggly plants. Remember to water often. Also, salad leaves can wilt in intense heat and they enjoy some cooleness and shade during each day. I use compost because earth from the ground can be too heavy for the seedlings to push through.

[carlseawolf]

a plastic fish box.