The ten day forecast looks like the heat wave might just come to a close. None too soon. I get asked fairly often “when do I sow seeds outdoors for fall lettuce and spinach?” The time is getting close. What I do to get a start on the growing of the greens, but yet maximize my heat protection is to start the seeds indoors.
First things first. What to grow. I am looking for a variety of plants and you all know how much I love seed mixes.
That is five types of Asian greens, five types of mesclun and Four Season Marvel, a favorite lettuce variety of mine. I got my flats of soilless mix ready to go. I am planting a bunch because I need to put some transplants in my home garden, the container garden at Hocking Valley Community Hospital as well a put a few in here at the educational garden at the fairgrounds.
Four flats of soilless mix, firm seedbeds ready to go:
I sow thick. I will thin later to the best 8-10 seedlings. I can pick variety better this way as well:
Water the plants and then get them 2-3″ from the light:
If you want to sow seed outside feel free to do that. My garden has such tough clay that seeds have a tough go of it until it cools way down. You can sow seed now and then do a second sowing in about 2 to 3 weeks to give you a longer harvest. The fall is the best time to grow greens like these as the nights are cool, the rains are a little better and the bugs are simmering down. Make sure to give a fall harvest a chance.