Winter Lettuce Seeds - Frost Hardy Salad Varieties
Winter lettuce seeds make it possible to harvest fresh salads even during the cold season. Many frost hardy salad varieties still grow in late autumn or survive the winter in the bed and provide vitamin rich leaves between autumn and spring.
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The term winter lettuce does not refer to a single plant species, but to various salad and leafy vegetable types that are particularly tolerant of cold. These include lamb's lettuce, winter hardy head lettuces, chicory salads such as radicchio or sugarloaf chicory and winter purslane.
These salads are usually sown in summer or early autumn so that they can grow strong before winter. Many species continue growing at low temperatures or tolerate light frosts without problems.
Winter salads are a valuable addition to the vegetable garden, as they provide fresh leaves even during the darker months of the year. You can find out which varieties are particularly suitable for winter cultivation in detail in the blog article Fresh green salad when it’s cold and snowy – winter salads .
Sowing and Growing Winter Salad
Many winter salads are sown as early as summer so that they can develop strong plants by autumn. Typical sowing times are between July and September, depending on the species and variety. Some fast growing salads such as winter purslane or certain Asian salads can also be sown later.
Winter salads prefer sunny to partially shaded locations with humus rich, well drained soil. Consistent moisture without waterlogging is important, as cold and wet soils can easily lead to rot.
Many frost hardy salads tolerate light sub zero temperatures without problems. During longer periods of severe frost, a protective cover of fleece or brushwood can help protect the plants from strong temperature fluctuations.
Harvesting fresh Salads in Winter
With the right salad varieties, fresh leafy vegetables can be harvested from the garden even in winter. Lamb's lettuce, winter purslane and robust chicory salads are considered particularly cold tolerant and continue growing even at low temperatures.
Many winter salads can be harvested over a longer period. With cut and come again or picking salads, the outer leaves can be harvested regularly, while head lettuces or chicory salads are harvested as whole plants.
FAQ about Winter Salads
What are winter salads?
Winter salads is a collective term for particularly cold tolerant lettuce varieties and leafy vegetables that can grow in the garden during autumn and winter.
When are winter salads sown?
Many winter salads are sown in summer or early autumn so that the plants are well established before the cold season begins.
Which salads grow in winter?
Typical winter salads include lamb's lettuce, winter purslane, winter hardy head lettuces and some chicory salads such as sugarloaf chicory or radicchio.
