Many gardeners are now enjoying the rewards of early spring planting. Lettuce, beet tops, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip tops are just a few of the leafy greens being eaten right now.
Many greens grow best in cool weather and mature in a relatively short amount of time.
Most greens can be planted just as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring or in August for a fall crop. Successive plantings are also recommended to extend the harvest season. Harvest the outer leaves of leaf lettuce as soon as they enlarge to 4 to 6 inches. The leaves on the inside will continue to develop. Crisp-head lettuce takes longer to mature and is harvested when the head is full size and moderately firm.