Love them, grow them... eat your salads!
Fresh, crisp, flavour-packed and straight from your garden – growing your own salad is total satisfaction!
Summer salads are at their best when picked fresh from your own backyard. With a little care and planning, youcan grow a mix of crisp, colourful and flavourful ingredients that keep your salad bowl full all season.
MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR GARDEN
1. Lettuce
Cool, crunchy and quick to grow. It loves full sun but appreciates a little afternoon shade when the heat’s on. Sow straight into well-drained soil and keep the moisture up for tender, mild leaves. In scorching weather, drape alight shade cloth or cover with cloches to prevent wilting. Keep picking outer leaves to encourage new ones to form.
2. Cucumber
The taste of summer in every bite.These sun-lovers thrive in rich soil with plenty of room to sprawl or climb. Train vines up a trellis to save space and keep fruit clean. Water at the base to avoid mildew and enjoy the sweet reward of homegrown crunch.
3. Tomato
A true garden essential. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and support plants with stakes or cages. Feed regularly, prune lightly, and let the vines bask in the warmth. You’ll be rewarded with glossy fruit bursting with flavour – perfect with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Radish
Snappy, refreshing and quick to grow– perfect for impatient gardeners. Some varieties mature in just three to four weeks, delivering a crisp texture and peppery kick that livens up any salad. Sow a mix of colours – ruby red, pink, white or even purple – for a cheerful harvest. They’re also ideal for filling gaps between slower crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.
5. Radicchio
A little drama for your salad bowl. Its deep burgundy leaves and pale veins bring a painterly contrast to all that green. Beneath the colour lies a subtle bitterness that pairs beautifully with citrus dressings or creamy cheeses. It prefers cooler conditions, so give it part shade and steady moisture to keep it tender. Harvest small for a mild taste or let the heads mature for richer flavour.
6. Spinach and rocket
Tender, vibrant greens that thrive inpart-shade, perfect for keeping your salad patch productive even during the hottest months. Keep soil moistand feed lightly with liquid fertiliser to encourage tender, leafy growth. Both are ideal for frequent pickings.
COOK'S TIP
For your salads you can choose any crisp, crunchy or soft leaves you grow -and any colour. Delicious!
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