Salad and herbs are the most rewarding things to grow from a financial and health perspective. These thirty lettuces I sowed at the beginning of April and planted out at the beginning of May. Five across in a 1 metre wide bed (20cm apart in both directions) protected from wind, rabbits and birds. I’ve been picking the outside leaves since the end of May. They grew slowly at first but now they’re starting to go to seed and I’ve picked the last ones as heading lettuce. Varieties Arianna (minty green crisp heading lettuce), Rouge d’Hiver (upright red cos) and Green Salad Bowl (first to go to seed).
Theres spinach, rocket, Chinese cabbage and kale in winter. Lettuce in summer. Plus basil, coriander, chives, oregano, thyme, tarragon and parsley for flavour.
You might enjoy learning a bit more about this at a free short talk on Thursday 5 November 5.30-6.30pm
Held at The Environment Centre Hawke’s Bay, 1004 Karamu Road, Hastings.