June 17, 2015

Three days after planting my arugula and Tuscan baby leaf kale, they’re up and growing. Seed packets say my first harvests will be in 25-30 days.

Growing some of my greens in containers works well for the  summer garden. I can move the pots around to increase exposure to sun or give needed shade in hot weather. Birds in my yard seem especially fond of summer greens so I can easily cover the pots loosely with row cover. The yield is manageable for the two of us.

This summer, I’ll be growing some of the flowers for my son’s wedding in September so it makes sense to move some crops to containers.

In my winter garden, chard grew well in a 12-inch pot and was up out of the dirt and away from pests.

Grown in cut-and-come-again fashion, it yielded small to medium-sized leaves for five months. 

I’ll grow the arugula and Tuscan kale in the same way, harvesting when the leaves are small and tender. Good summer salads ahead.

Here’s my Ruby and Emerald Duet grown from seed in another season.

Even in you don’t have a garden, you can grow greens on a sunny balcony or patio. They don’t need a full day of sun–half-day or dappled shade will do. 

Choose high quality organic potting soil and mix in some compost if you have it. Choose a mesclun mix or grow your favorite greens. Arugula is very easy and tolerant of summer conditions. 

Cut with scissors as you like at two to four inches and harvests will continue for several months. Fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer once or twice if you have it. Replant if the plants get tired or bolt. Summer greens can be as near as your balcony or porch.