Growing Guide - Salads
When should I sow & harvest?
- Sow April to July, harvest May to Oct
How do I avoid common problems?
- Do not allow the compost to become waterlogged or stodgy.
- Don’t sow the seeds too thickly. The developing plants need good airflow or they will rot.
- Basil is a Mediterranean herb that likes sunshine and well-drained soil.
- Never leave it standing in water.
- Keep harvesting the leaves and don’t allow the plants to flower.
Other Tips
- Ensure your plants have heavy ventilation.
- Sow a pot of salad every week or so from spring and through summer. If any fail then your always have back up and as they develop you’ll have a generous crop of leaves.
- Pot them into larger containers regularly to ensure strong, healthy plants.
- Feed with a dedicated plant food for leafy vegetables.
- Protect seedlings and plants from slugs and snails.
What else can I buy to help them grow?
- Organic Instant Herb & Salad Planter
- Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes
- Nutri Fruit & Vegetable Feed
- Eraza
- Plant Rescue
How Do I Grow Basil?
Fill small pots or modules with Westland John Innes Seed Sowing Compost. Thinly sprinkle a few seeds over the surface and cover over with a thin layer of compost. Water sparingly and place in warm light place.
Seeds will start to emerge in 7-10 days. Keep the seedlings moist but do not overwater. Keep in a warm spot, ideally with a constant temperature of 10-15 ̊c. Once they are large enough to handle split them into groups and plant into larger pots, Westland Instant Planters or directly into the soil, keeping them protected from frost.
Harvest when salads as soon as the leaves are big enough to pick. Cut and Come again varieties will provide crops for many months.
