Article 34340 of rec.gardens:
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From: JC_Gilliam@fccc.edu (Jon C. Gilliam)
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: Salad Greens I have Known
Date: 3 Jun 1994 08:37:15 -0500
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   One of the first benefits of my garden in the spring are the
garden salads -- I can't really describe how much I enjoy these
fresh greens.  Here's some commentary on what's growing this
year, and other info re salads:

   - The best dressing I've found for garden salads is plain
     Basalmic vinegar -- nice sweet/sour accompanyment that
     doesn't hide the taste of the salad.

   - A kitchen gadget I've been really pleased with is my Salad
     Spinner .. about $9 mail ordered from Pinetree (seed/garden
     catalog from Maine).  This works like a washing machine in
     spinning off the water from your salad after you've washed
     the leaves.  No more soggy salads!

   - Of course you knew this, but early dandelion leaves make a
     super addition to your salad.  Next year, I may even plant
     a variety from seed, although I may have to keep it secluded
     in a back portion of the garden where my lawn-conscious
     neighbors aren't likely to notice :^).

   - I'm growing Burpee's oak leaf lettuce, and like it quite a
     bit -- crisp, dark green, mild.   I'm also growing 'salad
     bowl' variety, which I like less -- light green ruffled, 
     thin leaves.  Both lettuces have loved an application of
     sprinkled dried blood (available at garden stores).

   - I'm growing sorrel this year, and planted quite a bit of it
     before discovering it is a perennial -- I would have given
     more thought to it's location.  Texture and thickness is 
     similar to beet greens, and the taste is delightful -- 
     slightly sour and citric.  I really like this green.

   - Throwing caution to the wind, I'm also growing a 'garden'
     variety of purslane, that low-creeping, red-stemed weed with
     succulent green leaves.  This variety stands much more upright,
     has larger, lighter green leaves, and a sweeter taste than the
     wild purslane.  I'm pleased with it, and am looking forward to
     weeding it next year :^).  Variety is 'goldberger' or something
     like that.

   - My spinach this year is Burpee's Avon Hybrid -- I love the 
     taste, but unfortunately so do the leaf miners.  The leaves
     are only slightly crumpled, making it easier to wash.

   - I'm also growing a mesclun mix -- one sold by Pinetree seeds.
     It has (I think) 5 varieties of lettuce, and about the same number
     of varieties of different chichories.  It makes a very good salad,
     but I think that next year I may either mix my own mesclun mix,
     or stick to planting many plots of different varieties of lettuce
     and greens.  I like to be able to identify each element of my salad.

   - As if this were possible, I've underplanted radishes.  I only like
     radishes when they're small and mild, and two or three to a salad.
     I'm making a note to start a square foot of radishes every week next
     year.

   - Looking forward to my radicchio forming heads -- they are close.
     I planted a very early variety (Silla?  something like that).  I'm
     also awaiting my first garden beet.  

   - Edible pod peas -- Sugar Bon, the variety.  Delicious!  Super for
     salads.

   - My New Zeland spinach is just up.  This is my first year for it -- I'm
     anxious to have something to accompany my Swiss chard for those summer
     salads!

   It's great to be green!  :^)

Bright blessings,
:jon

-----
Jon C. Gilliam <JC_Gilliam@fccc.edu>

   First get your facts; then you can distort them at your
   leisure.
   -- Mark Twain




