Mix Greens in Your Garden: Growing Mesclun for Fresh Salads

What Is Mesclun?

In the Mediterranean, mesclun is a mix of young lettuces and piquant greens (arugula, chervil, endive in France; chicory, curly endive, escarole in Italy). Today's "baby greens" mixes can contain any greens you want—colorful sweet lettuces to mild or spicy leaves and edible flowers. "Mesclun is about freshness," says Renee Shepherd of Renee's Garden. Harvesting from your own garden ensures peak flavor.

Easy to Grow

Start a peppery mix in one bed and a mild lettuce mix in another, then blend for each meal. Sow every few weeks in fall and spring (mild winters) or spring into summer (cold winters) for a long harvest season.

Mixes for Every Taste

Seed catalogs offer diverse mesclun combinations, including French and Italian imports and custom blends. Mild lettuces suit everyday salads; add arugula, chicory, cress, spicy mustards for heat. Chervil, endive, escarole, kale, mâche, mild mustards like mizuna add flavor without spice. Or choose a pre-blended custom mix.

Planting Pointers

• In full sun, dig in compost; water thoroughly.
• Sow seeds 1/2 inch apart; mix with sand for even distribution.
• Cover with 1/4 inch fine soil; mist lightly.
• Keep soil evenly moist; use netting to protect seeds.
• Extend season with shade cloth in summer.

Growing Tips

1. Thin seedlings at 1-2 inches tall; use scissors or transplant crowded ones.
2. Snip overly vigorous greens back to 1-2 inches to let others catch up.
3. Harvest when leaves are 4-5 inches long; shear to 1-2 inches above soil.
4. Fertilize lightly with fish emulsion after cutting; water. New leaves ready in 1-2 weeks.