Growing Leafy Greens

A Beginner-Friendly Guide To Bountiful Harvests

June 26th, 2025

Guide by Scott’s Nursery Ltd.

Leafy greens are among the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow in any garden. Fast-growing, nutrient-packed, and incredibly versatile, favourites like lettuce, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard flourish in containers, raised beds, or traditional garden plots.

Whether you’re feeding your family, tossing fresh summer salads, or simply looking for a satisfying way to connect with your garden, this guide will walk you through growing and caring for leafy greens—from seed to harvest.

Why Grow Leafy Greens

Fast to mature - many varieties are ready in as little as 30 days
Perfect for succession planting and cut-and-come-again harvests
Packed with nutrients like iron, calcium and vitamins A, C and K
Great for container gardens and small spaces
Cool-weather crops that can still be grown with care in summer

Best Leafy Greens To Grow
In New Brunswick

When it comes to growing leafy greens in New Brunswick, choosing varieties that perform well in our cooler climate and shorter growing season makes all the difference. Here are some of the best leafy greens to grow locally—whether in containers, raised beds, or garden rows—that will thrive from spring through fall with the right care.

Lettuce

Looseleaf, romaine and butterhead types do well in cooler weather, but heat-tolerant varities likeWizard or Black seeded Simpson are great for summer

Spinach

Prefers cooler temperatures; try the heat-tolerant New Zealand Spinach.

Kale

Hardy and reliable, kale can withstand both cold and heat, especially varieties like 'Lacinato', 'Red Russian', 'Dinosaur' or 'Red Bor'.

Swiss Chard

Exceptionally heat-tolerant and colourful, with a mild beet-like flavour and a long harvesting window.

Arugula

Fast-growing with a peppery bite. Sow in partial shade or try heat-tolerant varities to prevent quick bolting.

Growing Leafy Greens In Summer

Although leafy greens prefer cooler weather, many can still be grown through July with the right strategies:

Partial Shade: Use shade cloth or plant near taller crops to reduce heat stress.

Frequent watering is essential to keep the soil moist, preventing bolting and bitterness.

Succession Sowing: Plant every couple of weeks for continual harvests.

Morning Sun: Site greens where they get morning light and afternoon shade.

Choose Wisely: Opt for heat-tolerant varieties suited for summer conditions.

Location and Soil Prep

Leafy greens love consistent moisture, rich soil, and a little shelter from extreme heat, so choosing the right spot and preparing your soil properly is the first step to success.

Location Tips:

Choose a location with 4–6 hours of sunlight daily — morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal, especially during the warmer months.
For containers, place pots where you can easily monitor moisture and move them if needed.
If growing in the ground or raised beds, make sure your site has good drainage but retains moisture well.

Soil Preparation:

Enrich your soil with plenty of compost or well-aged manure to boost nutrients and structure.
Leafy greens prefer loamy, loose, and well-aerated soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0).
Add a layer of mulch or straw around seedlings to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
In containers, use a high-quality potting mix with moisture-retentive additives like coconut coir or vermiculite.

🌿 Pro Tip: Before planting, mix in a balanced organic fertilizer to give your greens a head start!

Planting Tips

Whether you're starting from seed or transplanting seedlings, a few simple planting tips can go a long way in growing a healthy, productive patch of leafy greens.

Direct Sowing:

Sow seeds directly into well-prepared soil as soon as the ground can be worked in spring.
Plant seeds about ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows, thinning them to 4–6 inches once they’ve sprouted.
For baby greens, you can sow a bit closer together and harvest early.

Transplanting:

If starting indoors or buying seedlings, transplant them outside when they have 2–3 sets of true leaves.
Be gentle with the roots and water well after planting to reduce transplant shock.

Succession Planting:

Sow a small section every 2–3 weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.
Consider mixing different greens in the same bed or container for variety and visual interest.

Spacing Tips:

Give each plant enough room to grow without overcrowding. Tight spacing can lead to poor airflow and disease.
In containers, group greens with similar growth rates and light needs for the best results.

🌿 Pro Tip: Use labels or plant markers to track sowing dates for easier succession planning!

Fertilizing Greens

Leafy greens are quick growers, which means they need a steady supply of nutrients to keep producing tender, vibrant leaves. Luckily, they’re not too fussy—you just need to feed them the right way, at the right time.

Best Fertilizer Types:

Choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen (the first number on the label) to encourage leafy growth.
Water-soluble fertilizers are great for quick feeding, especially in containers.
Slow-release granular fertilizers added at planting time will feed steadily over weeks.

Feeding Schedule:

Apply every 2–3 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer, especially after harvesting or thinning.
For container-grown greens, consider a weaker weekly dose since frequent watering can flush nutrients out.

Organic Options:

Compost tea, fish emulsion, and seaweed extract are excellent organic choices.
Top-dressing with compost mid-season also helps replenish nutrients naturally.

🌿 Pro Tip: Avoid high-phosphorus “bloom boosters”—leafy greens need nitrogen more than flowers do!

Watering and Maintenance

Leafy greens love consistent moisture and care, especially during warm weather. With just a bit of regular attention, you’ll be rewarded with tender, flavourful leaves all season long.

Watering Tips:

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Leafy greens have shallow roots and dry out quickly, especially in containers.
Water deeply and slowly to encourage roots to grow downward.
Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation and avoid wet foliage overnight (which can lead to mildew).
In hot weather, you may need to water daily—or even twice a day for containers.

Mulching & Soil Protection:

Apply a light mulch of straw, shredded leaves, or untreated grass clippings to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Mulching also helps regulate soil temperature, keeping roots cool in summer heat.

Ongoing Maintenance:

Thin seedlings early to prevent overcrowding and improve airflow.
Watch for pests (like slugs or aphids) and remove yellowing or damaged leaves promptly.
Harvest regularly to encourage new growth—don't be shy about snipping a few leaves here and there!

🌿 Pro Tip: If your greens begin to bolt (send up a flower stalk), harvest what's left and sow a fresh batch for continued harvests.

Harvesting Tips

One of the best things about growing leafy greens is how quickly and generously they produce. With the right technique, you can enjoy a steady harvest for weeks—if not months!

When to Harvest:

Baby greens are ready when leaves are 3–4 inches tall—perfect for tender salads.
For mature leaves, wait until they reach 6–8 inches, but harvest before they become tough or bitter.
Most greens can be harvested multiple times if you use the right method.

How to Harvest:

Use the “cut-and-come-again” method: snip outer leaves with scissors or garden snips, leaving the central crown intact so the plant can regrow.
For full heads (like romaine or butterhead lettuce), cut at the base when the head is firm and well-formed.
Always harvest in the cool of the morning when leaves are crisp and fully hydrated.

Storage Tips:

Rinse gently and dry greens using a salad spinner or clean towel.
Store in a breathable container or produce bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
Most greens will keep for up to a week in the fridge when properly stored.

🌿 Pro Tip: Harvest regularly to encourage new growth and prevent bolting—don’t wait too long between pickings!

Leafy greens are some of the easiest vegetables to grow and enjoy, even in the warmer months with a bit of extra care. They fit in almost any garden setup, are quick to reward your effort, and make every meal feel farm-fresh.

Need help choosing heat-tolerant seeds or tips for shading greens? Stop by Scott's Nursery and chat with our team. Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned salad lover, we've got the plants, products and advice to keep your greens thriving through the summer and beyond.

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