Sowing & Growing

Sow the seeds directly in the cropping area during spring as soon as the soil is workable. Sow them thinly at a depth of 10mm, maintaining a spacing of 5cm between plants in rows set 45cm apart. Germination typically takes 13-17 days, and in dry conditions, it’s essential to keep the soil adequately watered. Once the plants are large enough to handle, thin them to a spacing of 15-25cm. Thinning at approximately 15cm height allows you to use the removed seedlings as a salad leaf.

For optimal growth, water regularly to reduce bitterness. This crop is easy to cultivate and should be kept free from weeds. Remove any flowers that develop to prolong the growing period.

In terms of cultivation, harvest baby leaves regularly by selecting a few from each plant to encourage fresh growth and extend the cropping season. For mature leaves, allow them to reach the desired size but harvest before they start to wilt. To extend harvesting beyond the first frosts, cover the crop with a cloche.