Garden Spaces: Plans for a Salad Bowl Garden

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<strong>• Lettuces</strong> (<em>Lactuca sativa</em>): Sow these together and thin seedlings by harvesting leaves as needed. There are many varieties to choose from. Try these classics: ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Bibb’, green or red ‘Oak Leaf’ (which is fairly heat tolerant), ‘Red Sails’, ‘Black-seeded Simpson’ and ‘Four Seasons’; grow the more bitter-leaved endive, radicchio or chicory; try an upright-growing Romaine.</p>
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<strong>• Basils</strong> (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em>): Grow several different basils for flavor and variety, leaving about 12 inches between plants. Try ‘Genoa’; a redleafed one such as ‘Purple Ruffles’ or ‘Dark Opal’; and a spicy basil such as ‘Thai’.</p>
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<strong>• Parsley</strong> (<em>Petroselinum crispum</em>): Set plants about 8 inches apart in the garden. Grow both the curly leaf and Italian flat-leaved varieties; both are useful.</p>
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<strong>• Spinach</strong> (<em>Spinacia oleracea</em>): Set out about 8 or 9 inches apart. Cool-season favorites include ‘Bloomsdale’, ‘Nordic’ and ‘Giant Noble’. For more heat tolerance, try ‘New Zealand’ spinach.</p>
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<strong>• Arugula</strong> (<em>Eruca sativa</em>): This is another tasty coolseason green. Grow these together, thinning by harvesting leaves as needed.</p>
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<strong>• Cilantro</strong> (<em>Coriandrum sativum</em>): Thin to about 6 inches apart. Tangy leaves are good in salads and as garnishes.</p>
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<strong>• Onions</strong> (<em>Allium cepa</em>): Set out 3 to 4 inches apart in a deep, friable soil.</p>
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<strong>• Red cabbage</strong> (<em>Brassica oleracea</em>): Thrives in cooler weather. Space plants about 18 inches apart.</p>
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<strong>• Carrots</strong> (<em>Daucus carota</em>): Scatter these seeds through the bed; you’ll recognize the ferny foliage when they germinate. Thin to about 2 to 4 inches apart.</p>
<h3>Edible Flowers</h3>
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<strong>• Nasturtium</strong> (<em>Tropaeolum majus</em>): Thin to about 9 inches apart.</p>
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<strong>• Borage</strong> (<em>Borago officinalis</em>): Give this about 18 inches of growing space.</p>
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<strong>• Pansies</strong> (<em>Viola</em> spp.): Set about 12 inches apart.</p>
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<strong>• Calendula</strong> (<em>Calendula officinalis</em>): Thin to about 9 inches apart.</p>
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<em>Kathleen Halloran is a freelance writer and editor, living and gardening in beautiful Austin, Texas.</em>
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<p>Click here for the main article, <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/garden-spaces-plant-salad-bowl-garden.aspx”>
<strong>Garden Spaces: Plant A Salad Bowl Garden</strong>
</a>.</p>

  • Published on Jul 15, 2010
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