March 2022 - 22

GREEN GOODS
Romaine 'Adicamp',
Vitalis Organic Seeds
Lettuce 'City Greens',
PanAmerican Seed
2022 IS THE YEAR OF THE
Salad Greens
Salad greens are becoming increasingly popular with consumers.
Find out why you should offer salad greens at your IGC.
By Diane Blazek
ccording to a 2021 survey commissioned by Fresh
Express and conducted by OnePoll, 73% of consumers
are dedicating themselves to a healthier diet after
gaining what has been dubbed " The Quarantine 15, " meaning
the 15 pounds they gained during the pandemic. Among
those surveyed, a full 34% say they try to make salad a part
of their daily intake in hopes of reaching the recommended
amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Is there any easier way to sell more plants? Transplants
or larger " bowls " of greens can be a great impulse
buy for customers who may like the idea of
growing their own healthy salad. Create a
special display and tout the healthy eating
advantages of this varied crop class.
Educating your customers on succession
planting and selling seed packets will
keep them coming back for more.
With so many types of salad greens
to choose from, you can cater to every
personality and taste:
* Asteraceae family: Lettuce, chicory,
dandelion greens
* Amaranthaceae family: Spinach
* Brassicaceae family: Arugula, kale, mustard greens
* Other: Asian greens, chard, herbs, beet and turnip tops
Varieties of Note
* Pak choi 'Asian Delight', a 2018 AAS Winner,
outperformed all comparisons by leaps and bounds
because it does not bolt like other varieties. It forms
small 5 to 7-inch heads that have a tasty, tender white rib
and dark green leaves. (Seed Solutions of America)
* Lettuce 'Bauer' is a recent AAS Winner praised for its
22 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | MARCH 2022
A
dark green color and compact size that can be grown for
baby leaf or full-sized heads. (Vitalis Organic Seeds)
* Cheap Frills Mix is a diverse, frilly mix that is a great
introduction to different leaf types, and a visual stunner
with beautiful red and green color variation. (Johnny's)
* Escarol 'Eliance' is a heat-tolerant, smooth-leaved, selfbleaching
escarole (endive). Eliance is an easy-to-grow
introduction to chicories, offering high yield and tender
leaves. (Enza Zaden/Vitalis)
* Ezpark, part of the Eazyleaf series, is a vibrant green
incised tango. An excellent choice for all seasons,
Ezpark grows well and features impressive
yield and uniformity. (Enza Zaden/Vitalis)
* 'Jara' is a dark green romaine that
produces beautiful compact heads
and is slow to bolt in the heat. (Enza
Zaden/Vitalis)
* 'Marciano' is a compact red butterhead
with nice, buttery leaves that showcase a
deep burgundy exterior surrounding a wellfilled
interior of fresh bright green leaves. (Enza
Zaden/Vitalis)
* Spinach 'Oceanside' is a versatile dark green spinach
featuring nice, thick leaves with round/oval shape,
and versatile enough for baby leaf or full-sized leaves.
(Kitazawa Seed)
* Kale 'Redbor' is a tall kale with impressive deep purple
color. A vigorous grower with deeply serrated leaves and
sturdy stems, Redbor is an excellent choice especially
for cooler climates, as its color strengthens and
flavor sweetens with looming frost. Beyond the salad
bowl, Redbor is a great garnish or addition to floral
arrangements. (Multiple sources)
March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2022
