You’ve probably seen those bags of mixed salad leaves at the supermarket, or spotted delicate garnishes on restaurant plates. Guess what - you can grow fresh, crisp salad leaves at home with hardly any effort.
Growing salad leaves in the UK is quick and easy, as these nutrient-packed, flavourful fibres can be harvested again and again. Whether you’ve got a garden bed, a window box, or just a few pots on the patio, you already have the blueprint and the apparatus on how to grow salad leaves. All you need now is some direction and inspiration, and you’ll be on your way to having a fresh supply of salad leaves all year!
Many vegetables and herbs can be grown for their leaves and eaten raw. In this guide, we’ll look at tips and tricks to achieve that in your garden.
How To Grow Salad Leaves
The first step is deciding which leaves you enjoy eating the most. From familiar favourites like lettuce and rocket, to bolder picks like mustard, mizuna or pak choi, there’s a huge variety to choose from.
Containers, window boxes, raised beds or even growing bags can be used for growing salad leaves. They don’t need much space or soil preparation, making them ideal for small gardens or kitchen setups.
When to Plant Salad Leaves
Sow your first batch from March onwards, and continue every two weeks until late August or early September, depending on your local climate. For an earlier start, sow indoors in trays from mid-February, then transplant outside when the weather becomes warmer.
Soil & Location Tips
Choose a sunny spot and prepare the soil by removing weeds and mixing in compost or well-rotted manure. If planting in pots or bags, make sure they’re at least 30cm wide. You can grow salad leaves as a companion plant to other crops like potatoes or radishes.
Sow seeds half an inch deep. Once seedlings appear, thin them out so the remaining plants have room to grow.
Continue sowing small batches every couple of weeks for a steady supply. Water regularly, preferably in the morning, and avoid soaking the soil. Watch for slugs and weeds, which can damage young leaves.
Many herbs and vegetables can be grown for their leaves and used raw in salads. Learn more about how to grow each one:
How To Harvest Salad Leaves
So, the next obvious question you might have is when to pick salad leaves. As the small seedlings grow fairly quickly, they are usually ready to pick within 4–6 weeks of sowing. When the leaves reach 8–10 cm tall, you can start harvesting by gently snipping the outer leaves - this allows the centre to continue growing.
For a continuous harvest, pick just what you need and let the rest regrow. After picking, soak the leaves briefly in ice water to keep them fresh and crisp.
Growing Salad Leaves in Summary
Sowing Salad Leaves
Growing Salad Leaves
Harvesting Salad Leaves
Sign Up for Our Newsletter or Become A Member Today!
Are you ready to enjoy fresh, homegrown salad leaves all year round? Allotment Online provides expert tips, step-by-step guides, and community support to help you get started.
For new growers, growing salad leaves is perfect. Once you’ve mastered these, try branching out into herbs, vegetables, and other leafy greens. You’ll find all the help you need on our platform!
Looking for advice on growing microgreens, potatoes or pumpkins? Visit our Grow Your Own page for crop-specific guides and expert tips!
