Guide for Harvesting Salad Greens Through Autumn, Avoiding Market Purchases
In the heart of autumn, as the leaves change colour and the days grow shorter, it's time to consider a rewarding garden endeavour – growing salad greens for a continuous harvest throughout the cooler months.
The Persephone period, when day length drops below 10 hours, marks the beginning of this season in most areas. This transition usually occurs between early November and early December, although in colder regions, it may start as early as the first week of November. If you're fortunate enough to live in warmer southern regions, you may not experience a dip in daylight hours at all.
For those new to gardening, fear not! With the right guidance, a beginner can cultivate a thriving garden. The key is to plant more in the fall than in the spring, as you can't rely on regrowth or cut-and-come-again harvests as easily.
So, what greens should you consider planting? The best choices for a cool-weather harvest include baby kale, kale, spinach, arugula, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. These greens are hearty and tolerate the cooler temperatures well, providing fresh leaves throughout the season.
Baby kale and kale hold up well to heartier fall recipes and remain tender and flavourful when harvested regularly. Spinach and arugula are also excellent for fall planting, as they thrive in cooler temperatures and grow quickly for continuous picking. Cabbage and shaved Brussels sprouts offer crunchy greens that stay fresh and are suitable for fall salads.
To ensure a successful harvest, plant these greens in succession or harvest leaves progressively. This technique can extend your salad harvest through the fall and into early winter. These greens also pair perfectly with seasonal ingredients like roasted squash, dried cranberries, nuts, and cheeses in fall salad recipes.
For a helping hand in planning your fall salad garden, download our free Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar. This valuable resource provides guidance on when to plant and what to plant based on your zone. The calendar is available at our website.
So, let's embrace the autumn season and create a bountiful fall salad garden! Happy planting!
Start your seed starting process for hearty fall greens such as baby kale, kale, spinach, arugula, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, as these are perfect for cool-weather gardening. Garden planning is essential for a successful harvest, so consider downloading our free Garden Printables, which include a Fall Salad Garden Planning Calendar. With proper garden planning, lifestyle improvements, and home-and-garden practices, you can soon enjoy a continuous harvest of fresh greens throughout the autumn season.
