Living Salad Bowl

Let me step you through the process of sowing lettuce seeds in a container for what I call a "living salad bowl."

With consistent moisture and plenty of sunshine you should have fresh lettuce for salads in no time!

• In a large container (preferably one 24" or larger) fill soil to 1" below the lip of the pot. To start your containers out successfully use a pre-blended potting mix designed for container gardening. This will ensure that you are using soil that is free of disease and contains the proper nutrients for young plants.
• Moisten soil to create a dampened soil bed.
• Sprinkle seeds over the dampened soil generously.
• After all of the seeds are sown pat them down and then water them in again.
• Now add about a 1/4 inch layer of soil over the seeds.
• Pat down the new layer of soil and water it in again.
• Place the container in a sunny location in the garden and continue to water and fertilize with a diluted solution of an all purpose liquid fertilizer. Germination should occur within five to seven days. Your first crop should be ready to harvest in about 30 days.
• When it's time to harvest cut the leaves above the crown. If you continue to care for your lettuce you should have a new crop to harvest in just a few weeks.
• Some varieties to try are arugula, 'Red Sails', oakleaf and my favorite, buttercrunch.