It’s the perfect time to plant many of the fast-growing repeat harvest varieties. Repeat harvest refers to the way they are harvested; only take the leaves you are planning to use immediately, leaving the others to continue to grow.

English spinach, Chinese cabbage, kale, loose leaf lettuce varieties, Pak choi, rainbow chard and silver beet are super easy to grow, the perfect staples to the diet and can be used for many different recipes. Harvest when the leaves are tender and small and the flavour is at its best.

Tips for growing repeat harvest vegies in the ground.

Select a position that receives at least 6 hours of sun a day.
Improve the soil with compost, sheep manure, chicken manure or soil improver such as Seasol Liquid Compost, the no-dig option.
Add about 2-3 large handfuls of organic granular fertiliser such as PowerFeed Controlled Release Plant Food for Tomatoes & Vegetables.

Spread composting mulch before planting seedlings, it makes it easier to apply mulch.
To plant split the mulch to reveal the soil, an area about the diameter of a 2lt ice cream container is ideal.
Soak seedlings in a bucket of Seasol before planting, the plants can be completely submerged. Mix 30mL of concentrate per 9 litres of water (standard watering can).
Always plant two seedlings in one hole, seedlings seem to do better with two together.
Water in well with Seasol at planting and then apply PowerFeed fortnightly.

Most repeat harvest varieties will be ready to harvest a few leaves in 3 weeks. In 4-6 weeks’ time plant a few follow up crops, to ensure you have a continual supply of tender flavoursome leaves.

Tips for growing repeat harvest vegies in pots:

Select a container at least 40cm across or volume of at least 30 litres. Large containers are perfect and will not dry out too quickly. The extra soil around the roots allows mass planting.
Fill with equal parts premium potting mix and coco peat. Coco peat has increased water holding capacity without water logging plants and very good nutrient exchange properties, which means plants can take up nutrients quickly and efficiently.
Growing vegies in pots is perfect for small space gardens and can easily be moved to capture as much sun as possible.
Have a few pots on the go at varying stages of maturity – that way you will never run out of fresh leafy greens.