# Starting Salad Greens Indoors For Early Harvests

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/starting-salad-greens-indoors-for-early-harvests/
- Published: 2026-10-24T03:03:44-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Many leafy greens such as arugula, mizuna and spinach grow well from seed. However,
other salad plants like kale, southern mustard greens, and Swiss chard should be
started from plant starts found at local nurseries or farmers markets.

Salad garden plants need regular and even watering; otherwise they become waterlogged
and will dry out completely. Flooded or overwatered gardens should also be avoided
for maximum success.

## Lettuce

No matter if it is armloads of baby leaves or big crisp heads lettuce that you prefer,
growing fresh salad greens requires only minimal planning and care. From seed or
transplants, lettuce is fast growing crop that makes an easy spring or fall addition.

Even though some varieties can tolerate heat, most varieties of lettuces prefer 
cool weather and germinate more quickly when started indoors, making them an excellent
option for fall/winter crops in areas where summer temperatures can become too intense
for lettuce production.

Lettuce requires rich, well-draining soil that has an alkaline pH level (7.0 or 
higher). While it tolerates various temperatures conditions, cooler ones work best.
Regular watering to ensure even distribution of moisture to roots and stems. Too
much or too little can result in tough, bitter leaves as well as slow head development.

Seedlings planted from seeds or purchased as transplants should be spaced 3 to 4
inches apart in rows 2-6 inches apart, using a dibbler or trowel to dig holes for
each transplant and lightly firm the soil before watering immediately post-planted
and regularly thereafter to provide even moisture distribution across their leaves,
while avoiding overhead irrigation that wets the leaves as this can encourage fungal
diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spot and root rot.

## Spinach

Spinach seeds thrive at temperatures between 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit (15-20 degrees
Celsius). As such, spinach seedlings should germinate at temperatures of 60-68 F
during the daytime and 50-55 F in the evening – this means it could potentially 
grow weeks prior to your last frost date and is one of the first crops you should
sow in spring gardens.

Start by sowing seeds thinly in an empty bed. If your soil lacks nutrients, add 
some compost or manure for optimal germination rates. As soon as the weather warms
up, spinach will sprout quickly; modular trays allow up to 20cm (8in).

When harvesting spinach, always take care to harvest its entire leaf rosette rather
than only its outer leaves to avoid overharvesting as too many spinach leaves can
become bitter if harvested too soon. When growing salad greens for sale, thin the
plants to 7.5cm (3in). When harvesting Badger Savoy or Wisconsin Bloomsdale varieties
from UW-Madison in the 1950s (Badger Savoy or Wisconsin Bloomsdale varieties respectively),
thin even further to give smaller weaker plants room for seedlings remaining seedlings
to thrive and ripen later on in time for harvest.

Shade cloth can help keep the soil cool while simultaneously cutting down on water
consumption for plants. A floating row cover may help control insects as well as
reduce mildew incidence – both issues common to spinach crops.

## Arugula

Arugula thrives in cool conditions and grows quickly, making it an ideal crop to
start indoors. Start seeds in shallow microgreens trays or seed starting soil before
transplanting to small pots or ceramic self-watering planters as suggested by Mary
Jane Duford of Home for the Harvest. Duford recommends covering containers with 
a light layer of compost mulch which helps ensure plants receive uniform moisture
as they develop.

Arugula is resilient against most pests, but flea beetles may cause extensive damage
and eating of its leaves. Row covers may help protect young plants, though these
should be removed periodically so sunlight reaches all lower leaves.

Once planted in the ground, arugula requires regular thinning and light watering
to avoid overheating, which could make its leaves bitter. Regular mulching also 
helps retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Arugula is an excellent source of calcium, potassium and folate and features powerful
antioxidants and glucosinolates that can help combat inflammation and reduce chronic
diseases. A staple in European, Moroccan and Turkish cuisines alike for centuries;
even ancient Romans considered eating it an aphrodisiac!

## Swiss Chard

Swiss chard, related to beets and spinach, is an edible cool season vegetable rich
in vitamins and minerals – especially potassium and vitamin K. Enjoy Swiss chard
salads and sandwiches; saute it to add flavor to rice noodles, pasta dishes, soups
or omelets when the temperatures heat up; even better when used as an ideal summer
spinach replacement when the temperatures heat up! Chard has a two year life cycle
which gives you plenty of time to harvest its leafy goodness before it goes to seed!

Swiss chard plants are extremely hardy and will thrive once frost has subsided, 
when transplanted outdoors after frost danger has subsided. As with other greens,
Swiss chard thrives best when given a sunny location with little care taken for 
soil type or condition; it would do best with adding some organic material such 
as compost, leafmold or nitrogen-rich chicken manure pellets to its planting hole
for best results.

As soon as the soil is workable in spring, sow seeds directly or transplant young
plants outdoors. Direct sowing allows light frost tolerance while transplanted young
plants will continue to thrive through autumn if you use a cold frame.

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