Salad Crops

Salad crops are included under the "year 2" heading but in reality they can be grown on ground at almost any stage of cultivation. They generally crops in less than two months and so are useful "catch crops", occupying ground for short periods betwen other crops. I have enjoyed the most success with Swiss Chard and loose-leaf lettuce and they are described below. Information about other salad crops is readily available.

Swiss Chard

Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is the same species as beetroot, but grown for its leaves. It can be grown over a long season; sown from early spring for leaves from late spring and through summer and in late summer for leaves through the winter. Seeds usually germinate in clumps; these should be carefully thinned to one plant every 20cm (8 inches). Leaves can be eaten raw and whole when young and tender (3-4 weeks after sowing) or cooked when larger. When larger, the leafy part of the leaf should be cut away from the stem and cooked as spinach. The stems can be blanched in salted water and have a taste similar to asparagus. Chard leaves wither soon after picking and for this reason chard is rarely seen in shops. Leaves can be cut twice a week when the plant is growing rapidly, once or twice a month through all but the coldest winters. Chard can be cut until the plant flowers; after this point leaves will taste bitter and the plants should be dug up to make way for other crops. Chard is a decorative plant; a plain white and green cultivar is illustrated although this plant is commonly grown in multicoloured varieties that are decorative enough to adorn a flower bed.

Loose-leaf lettuce

Loose-leaf lettuce is also known as "cut and come-again" because it can be cut back to ground level to regrow up to 3 times before flowering, or bolting. Lollo rossa is a commonly grown variety, having decorative red- tinged leaves.

Problems

Salad crops must be watered well to prevent bolting. Young plants are attractive to sparrows and should be protected with netting. Older plants require control of slugs and snails.