Grow & Tell is IPR’s biweekly gardening segment to guide you through the growing season.
As summer crops peak, it’s time to turn our attention to what’s next. Today, we’re talking fall salad greens — how to sow them now so you can enjoy fresh harvests even as the weather cools.
Tip 1: Reap and sow
Yes, it’s harvest season — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers galore. But as we gather the fruits of summer’s labor, it’s also time to start sowing again.
🍂 Why now?
Fall greens thrive in cooler weather. That makes late summer to early fall the ideal window to plant them. They’ll mature just as the warm-season crops begin to fade, giving you another round of fresh produce before the first frost.
Tip 2: Choose your greens
At the farm, we’re planting:
- Two types of Romaine
- Other assorted lettuces
- Arugula
- Baby kale
- Spinach
🥬 These greens prefer chilly nights and mild days. The cooler temps help their leaves develop better flavor and texture — perfect for salads.
Tip 3: Start your seeds (again)
Remember sowing seeds inside in March? We’re running it back again — indoors, in trays, by a sunny window.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Seed-starting trays or repurposed containers like egg cartons or Tupperware
- A sunny windowsill
- Moist potting mix
- Your favorite fall seeds
Tip 4: Get your hands dirty (literally)
Making soil blocks is a lot like mixing dough:
- Moisten your potting mix evenly — not too dry, not too soggy
- Mix it up by hand or with a trowel until the water is evenly distributed
- Pack it into your egg cartons, Tupperware or soil cells
Tip 5: Sow and care
Time to plant our Romaine!
- Use your palm to sprinkle 2–3 seeds per soil cell
- Gently press them in and cover with a light layer of soil
- Water gently and consistently
- Keep them warm, moist and well-lit
🌱 Encourage your seedlings however you like — talk to them, sing to them or just check in daily to make sure they’re happy.
Tip 6: Timing your transplant
In 3–4 weeks, your seedlings will show their first “true leaves.” That’s your cue — they’re ready to go outside.
🗓️ That timing lines up perfectly with the tail end of summer crops. By late September or early October, your tomatoes and peppers will start winding down.
Rip them out (yes, remorselessly) and plant your greens in their place — you can even do it on the same day if you're feeling ambitious.
You can sow these seeds directly in the ground if you want, but starting them inside gives them a better shot at survival and protects them from hungry rabbits in their most vulnerable stage.
Tip 7: Harvest small, harvest often
Fall is one of the most satisfying times to grow — fewer pests, cooler temps and fast-maturing crops. By planting now, you’ll set yourself up for another wave of homegrown goodness just as the season winds down.
