Bert Swope
Growing Mesclun Salad Greens is an effortless and convenient way to add fresh greens to your garden. They can be easily grown in containers or raised beds, allowing for multiple harvests as needed!
They consist of tender lettuces, herbs, kale and other greens that grow quickly in cool weather. When combined with other ingredients in salads, these tender greens make an irresistible combination.
How to Grow
Mesclun, which translates to “mix” in French, is a loose-leaf salad recipe from southern France that features various lettuce greens such as romaine, spinach, chard and endive.
Botanical Interests offers this easy-to-grow, flavorful mix in 3,000 seed packets for gardeners who appreciate its diversity of textures, tastes, and colors. Get your hands on some today!
It’s an ideal option for gardeners with limited space or who live in cold climates, as these greens are hardy to a variety of temperatures and can even be grown indoors in a container.
Seeds can be planted directly into the ground, in a starter mix or composted soil. Loose lettuce seeds require a shallow, moist and well-drained environment and should not be planted too closely together (4-6 seeds per inch). When planting in rows, use a tool to make a depression at the edge of each row 1/4 inch deep; sprinkle seeds into this depression, cover with dirt and firm lightly.
Mesclun greens typically mature quickly, so weeding is typically not necessary. Water them daily to encourage growth but never let the soil dry out between waterings. If your soil needs help retaining moisture, try mulching for added benefits.
These greens are ready for harvest in about three weeks, when their outer leaves have become small and tender. You can enjoy them raw as part of a salad, or cook them and serve as a side dish like Swiss chard.
Store-bought salads often contain chemicals that can be detrimental to health, making them an especially good option for those wishing to avoid such chemicals. Furthermore, organic produce may be suitable for those with allergies or who prefer eating organically grown food items.
Once harvested, these greens can be stored up to one week in the fridge – just like store-bought salads. However, they’ll bruise and turn watery if left too long in the fridge, so be sure to consume them within a few days of harvesting.
Growing mesclun salad greens is a breeze and makes for an irresistible addition to any garden or kitchen. Not only do you save money, but growing these nutritious leaves also encourages exercise and healthier eating habits – all great reasons for growing mesclun salad greens!
If you have a sunny, sheltered area in your yard or garden, mesclun is perfect for planting in the spring. They’re also great for container gardening during the summer – just remember to plant them where there’s some shade as too much heat can cause them to bolt.
Sowing
Growing Mesclun Salad Greens is an enjoyable and straightforward way to add tender salad greens to your garden or container. They grow quickly, are easily harvested, and are ideal for those living in colder climates or who have limited yard space.
Mesclun mix is typically composed of leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, frisee mizuma oak leaf mache/lamb’s lettuce radicchio tat soi and dandelion greens for its vibrant colors and nutritional benefit. These ingredients are highly valued for their color variety as well as nutritional benefit.
They contain low energy (kilojoules) and are packed with essential vitamins, such as A, C, E, K, and the B-complex. You can use them in a variety of dishes like soups and sauces.
You can purchase pre-made mesclun mixes or create your own with your favorite greens and herbs. Generally, opt for tender young leaves that are vibrant and fresh; try different varieties such as mustard greens, endive, frilly frisee, or tender sorrel to find the flavor and texture that works best for you.
When planting your seeds, select a sunny location in well-drained soil and keep the soil moist. Seeds should germinate within several weeks, and plants should be ready for harvest in several more months.
Mesclun salads are often served in restaurants as either a side dish or main course. Typically dressed with olive oil and flavorings like herbs or garlic, these salads make great accompaniments to any meal if served with an easy vinaigrette dressing.
It is essential to harvest your mesclun greens when they’re still young, or else their flavor will develop bitterness as they mature. Furthermore, letting them get too large could cause bolting of the plants, sending up a flower stalk which may not regenerate properly later on.
That is why it is beneficial to cover your mesclun plants with floating row covers when temperatures rise. Doing so will protect the tender leaves and keep out pests while they’re growing.
Growing your own mesclun salad greens at home is an economical and healthy way to save money and add nutritious, fresh produce to your diet without purchasing them from a grocery store or farmers’ market. Plus, with this method you can easily grow them right in the comfort of your own home – perfect for anytime you want a nutritious and delicious meal!
Transplanting
Mesclun is a term for an assortment of small, young salad greens originating in Provence. This combination typically consists of chervil, arugula, leafy lettuces, and endive.
The classic mesclun blend has evolved into a more versatile variety that can be used as the basis for many types of salads. You’ll find it in grocery stores and salad bars across America, but you can also grow it yourself for an incredibly nutritious and delicious addition to any meal.
Mail order seed companies offer various mesclun salad blends. Some are mildly flavored, while others are more pungent. Common ingredients in these mixtures include arugula, parsley, mustard greens, tatsoi, frisee, spinach, mache mizuna chard and other fresh greens.
Mesclun plants, unlike iceberg lettuce, are not cold hardy; thus they must be planted in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and moisture levels moderate. It’s best to place these in a sheltered area like a patio or balcony where they will get protection from direct sun but still receive some light during the day.
Mesclun plants typically thrive in full sun, though some shade may be beneficial during the summer months. To maintain their vibrant foliage during this growing season, clean the mesclun plants regularly with water to ensure mildness of color and keep soil moisture when conditions allow.
Once the mesclun plants reach a height of four inches or more, cut off their outer leaves about an inch above ground level. This will encourage them to sprout new leaves and continue producing them.
When growing mesclun from seeds, be sure to read the package instructions carefully. They usually indicate that seeds should be sown 4 inches apart in rows. When planting mesclun from seedlings, transplant them about an inch above ground level and water them regularly during their early stage for best germination.
Once the mesclun plants reach a height of about 5 inches, you can harvest them and enjoy an abundance of tender greens for salads and other dishes.
Harvesting
Mesclun is an ideal salad ingredient, as it grows rapidly and offers various flavor profiles and textures. It can easily be grown in raised beds or containers with minimal upkeep to produce a great harvest.
When planting mesclun, use a rich, well-draining soil mixture designed specifically for vegetables. Doing this will guarantee a healthy crop and prevent disease or weeds from spreading.
Mesclun is a cool-season green, which should be planted during the spring or fall. While it can be grown year-round, temperatures that are too hot may cause it to succumb.
If you live in a warm zone, consider growing mesclun hydroponically or starting it indoors in a greenhouse. This will allow you to start a small mesclun garden at the start of the season and let it continue growing throughout the summer months.
Once your mesclun greens reach a mature height of four to six inches. Doing this helps prevent wilt due to bruises and allows the plant to regrow within a few weeks.
Once harvested, water and fertilize with fish emulsion-seaweed or compost to maintain your harvest. Repeat this process every 10-14 days for optimal mesclun growth and flavor.
When selecting mesclun, the leaves can vary in size and hue. Some varieties are slim and narrow while others boast wider leaves that look vibrant when mixed together. Furthermore, you may come across combinations of both red and green leafy types for an eye-catching visual display.
Most seed catalogs offer pre-planted mesclun seed blends. These are cost-effective and save you the hassle of buying individual seeds for each green.
Another option is to craft your own mesclun blend from seed. This can be an enjoyable experiment if you like to play around with different greens and textures. The key is finding a combination of leaves that provides the right balance of colors, tastes, and textures.
Once you’ve identified the ideal combination of leaves, plant them in your garden or container. They can be planted together in a row or between other vegetables that will compete for space, such as carrots, radishes, beets, and potatoes.
