Summer Salads (Seed Tapes)
A collection of 4 choice varieties for delicious, fresh home-grown summer salads. Remarkably quick and easy to grow, these seeds are pre-sown on a biodegradable seed tape, making sowing quick and efficient and reducing the need for thinning out later on. Each pack contains two metres of each of the following varieties; carrot Amsterdam, lettuce Iceberg, spring onion Ishikura and rocket.
Growing Advice
Sow Outdoors
Sow outdoors March to July. Make narrow trenches 1.5cm deep and spaced 30cm apart. Separate and unroll the seed tape and place in the trench. Place soil or a stone on one end and gently pull the tape straight, then carefully cover with fine soil. Keep the soil moist and weed free at all times. Seedlings should start to appear after approximately 7-21 days. If seedlings do happen to get overcrowded then thin the crop as it grows by taking plants evenly from the row. It is good practice to water well after thinning out, to wash any dislodged soil back around the roots of the remaining plants. Early sowings will benefit from cloche protection in cold weather.
Top Tips About Seeds
- Once the seed packet has been opened, the seed tapes can be stored in an airtight container until required for further sowings.
- These seeds are best used fresh and repeated sowing through the summer is highly recommended so they are unlikely to last more than one season.
Seed tape is not suitable for pots but short lengths could be used in raised beds and large troughs.
Some plants can bolt and run to seed too early, if stressed by drought or by extremely hot weather, especially if grown in exposed locations. Grow in a sheltered location and ensure the compost or soil is kept moist at all times. Some insects can attack the plants but if this is a problem then protection with a fine netting will help ensure good quality crops.
Harvest from May to October. Leaves can be picked at any stage, from baby leaves to mature plants. Pick a few leaves from each plant and they will regrow quickly without stressing the plants too much. This will allow for a good number of regular harvests. Carrots and onions can also be picked at any stage, as soon as they are large enough to make harvesting worthwhile.
Ideas on how to use your Summer Salads
When thinning out just take alternate plants as they start to get overcrowded, allowing the remainder to grow on. These thinnings can then be used as baby leaves, roots or stems. When picking leaves it is best done in the cool of the morning or evening as this is when they are at their best.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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