Reasons You’ll LOVE Fresh Mesclun Mix

Ah! So crispy, fresh, and nutritious!

• • An Abundance of Fresh Greens – Growing mesclun salad mix in your garden means you’ll always have an abundant supply of fresh, tender baby salad greens at your fingertips.
  • Versatility in Salad Making – With a diverse mix of lettuces, arugula, mustard greens, and kale, you can create endless variations of delicious and nutritious salads to suit your preferences.
  • Easy to Grow – Mesclun is relatively easy to grow, making it a perfect choice for experienced and novice gardeners.
  • Continuous Harvesting – As a “cut-and-come-again” crop, mesclun allows you to harvest leaves continuously, ensuring a steady supply of fresh greens throughout the growing season.
  • Space-Saving – Ideal for small gardens or container gardening, mesclun’s compact growth habit makes the most of limited space.
  • Quick Maturity – Mesclun greens mature relatively quickly, allowing you to enjoy your homegrown salads in a matter of weeks from sowing the seeds.
  • Cost-Effective – Growing your mesclun salad mix can save money compared to purchasing pre-packaged salad greens from the store.
  • No Waste – Harvest only what you need, reducing food waste and ensuring you enjoy the freshest greens possible.
  • Organic and Chemical-Free – When you grow your own mesclun, you have complete control over the growing process, allowing you to ensure your greens are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.
  • Connection to Nature – Gardening and tending to your mesclun mix offers a rewarding and therapeutic experience, connecting you to the natural world and promoting well-being.
  • Eco-Friendly Choice – By growing your own greens, you reduce the carbon footprint of transporting store-bought produce, making it eco-friendly.
  • Taste and Texture – Nothing compares to the taste and texture of garden-fresh mesclun salad mix, offering a flavor explosion and crispness that elevates your salads to a new level.
  • Educational and Fun – Gardening with mesclun is a fun and educational activity for families and children, teaching them the joys of growing their food.
  • Delight Your Guests – Impress your guests with salads made from your homegrown mesclun, turning any meal into a culinary delight.
  • Personalized Selection: Customize your mesclun mix with your favorite greens, ensuring each harvest caters to your tastes.

How to Grow Mesclun Salad Mix

Seed Variations for Mesclun Salad Mix

Have some fun with this, and make your own combinations!

• • Classic Mesclun Mix – Combine equal parts of baby lettuces like green and red oak leaf, butterhead, and romaine, along with arugula and spinach for a well-rounded and flavorful mix.
  • Spicy Mix – Add a kick to your mesclun with arugula, mustard greens (green and red varieties), and watercress. This combination will bring a peppery and spicy flavor to your salads.
  • Asian Greens Mix – Mix tatsoi, mizuna, and bok choy for an Asian-inspired blend of tender and slightly mustardy greens, perfect for adding an authentic touch to your salads.
  • Herbaceous Mix – Incorporate baby spinach, cilantro, and dill seeds for a herb-infused mesclun mix that adds fresh and fragrant notes to your salads.
  • Nutty Delight – Combine baby lettuces with sunflower seeds, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds for a nutty and crunchy mix that elevates your salads.
  • Colorful Medley – Mix red leaf lettuce, radicchio, and red mustard greens with your classic mesclun mix for a visually stunning and bright blend.
  • Superfood Boost – Introduce nutrient-dense microgreens like broccoli, kale, and radish to your mesclun mix to boost vitamins and minerals.
  • Tropical Escape – Incorporate amaranth greens, corn salad (mache), and sorrel for a tropical-inspired mix that adds a touch of uniqueness to your salads.
  • Italian Garden – Combine baby romaine, frisee, and radicchio with basil seeds for an Italian-inspired mesclun mix that pairs perfectly with tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Tex-Mex Fusion – Mix baby lettuces with cilantro and cress seeds for a Tex-Mex twist, ideal for pairing with avocado, black beans, and roasted corn in your salads.

Feel free to adjust the ratios of each seed to suit your taste preferences and the availability of seeds. Experimenting with different combinations allows you to create a mesclun salad mix that is perfectly tailored to your palate, providing you with a fresh and unique salad experience every time you harvest your greens.

Mesclun Salad Mix Pests and Bugs 

Mesclun salad mix can be susceptible to certain pests and bugs.

• • Aphids – These small, soft-bodied insects can cluster on the underside of leaves, sucking sap and causing wilting. Use a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids from the plants or apply insecticidal soap for severe infestations.
  • Slugs and Snails – These pests can munch on mesclun leaves, leaving behind irregular holes. Set up beer traps or use copper tape around the garden bed to deter slugs and snails.
  • Cabbage Worms – Caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly can feed on mesclun leaves, leaving behind chewed areas. Handpick and remove the caterpillars, or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) as a natural pesticide.
  • Flea Beetles – These small jumping beetles can cause small holes in the leaves. Use floating row covers to protect young plants or apply neem oil as a natural repellent.
  • Leafhoppers – Leafhoppers can cause stippling or yellowing of leaves. Spray a mixture of water and insecticidal soap to deter these pests.
  • Cutworms – These caterpillars can sever young mesclun seedlings at the base. Use cutworm collars or diatomaceous earth around the plants to create a barrier.
  • Cabbage Loopers – These caterpillars can create larger holes in leaves. Handpick and remove them, or apply Bt as a natural control method.
  • Sowbugs and Pillbugs – These crustaceans can feed on young seedlings. Remove debris around the garden and use traps to manage their population.
  • Thrips – Thrips can cause silvering or bronzing of leaves. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control their numbers.
  • Slugs and Snails –These pests can munch on mesclun leaves, leaving behind irregular holes. Set up beer traps or use copper tape around the garden bed to deter slugs and snails.

Regular monitoring of your mesclun salad mix plants and practicing good garden hygiene help keep these cauliflower pests at bay.

How to Prepare Mesclun Salad Mix

Preparing mesclun salad mix is quite easy.

• • Wash the Greens – Begin by washing the mesclun salad mix thoroughly. Fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the greens. Gently swish them around to remove any dirt or debris. Drain the water and repeat the process if needed. Spin the greens in a salad spinner or pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
  • Tear or Cut the Greens – If the mesclun leaves are large, tear them into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut them into smaller, manageable pieces.
  • Add Optional Add-Ins – To enhance the flavor and texture of your salad, add optional ingredients like halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, creamy avocado, toasted nuts or seeds, dried fruits, or crumbled cheese. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite toppings.
  • Drizzle with Dressing – Just before serving, drizzle your favorite salad dressing over the mesclun salad mix. Start with a small amount and toss the salad gently to coat the greens evenly. Add more dressing if needed, but avoid overdressing the salad.
  • Serve and Enjoy – Transfer the prepared mesclun salad mix to individual serving plates or a large salad bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy the crisp and refreshing flavors of your homemade salad.

Customize your mesclun salad mix with seasonal ingredients and toppings to keep it fresh and exciting. For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or boiled eggs to transform the salad into a satisfying meal. Use a variety of dressings to change the flavor profile of the salad, ensuring every meal is a delightful experience. Enjoy your mesclun salad mix as a light and nutritious lunch, a refreshing side dish, or an accompaniment to your favorite main course.

How to Serve Mesclun Salad Mix

This interesting salad is great as a side dish or on its own. Here are some ideas for servings.

• Dairy-Free Stuffed Shells – These dairy-free stuffed shells are cheesy, flavorful comfort food. They’re filled with my homemade vegan ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt.
• Grilled Tofu – One tasty way to cook tofu is to grill it and by adding fresh veggies like onions and peppers you can really make it interesting. You can eat grilled tofu as a meal, or side dish, or tuck it in a pita pocket. It’s versatile!
  
• Homemade Bread – This homemade loaf  bread requires only five ingredients. Soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, it’s a specialty of our resident baker, Riann!
  
• Pasta Primavera – Pasta primavera is a delicious medley of pasta, fresh vegetables, and savory sauce that tantalizes the taste buds with its flavorful and satisfying combination. We put a vegan, dairy-free spin on this classic American dish; the flavor is amazing!
• Cherry Tomato Pasta – This Cherry Tomato Pasta is the perfect summer dinner. It’s filling and delicious and spotlights fresh, in-season cherry tomatoes. It’s full of flavor and bursty tomatoes which everyone is sure to enjoy.

If you decided to try this recipe please do let us know in the comments below.

Learn How to Grow More Vegetables in Your Home Garden

Simple, easy-to-follow guides for beginner gardeners. 

• • How to Grow Colorful Watermelon Radish – Watermelon radish is an heirloom variety of the Chinese daikon radish. It gets its name from the bright pink and green coloring. 
  • How To Grow Sweet, Burtsy Tomatoes – Growing tomatoes is like having your own little edible treasure hunt in the garden. 
  • How to a Huge Crop of Cucumbers on a DIY Trellis – Grow the most bountiful crop of cukes!
  • How to Grow Early Spring Peas – When I think of Spring, my mind drifts to snap peas growing in the garden.
  • How to Grow Bountiful String Beans – Grow long, plump, snappy sting beans every time!
  • How to Grow Swiss Chard – Sturdier than spinach and more delicate than kale, Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse and colorful and beautiful!
  • How to Grow Collard Greens – The large green leaves of the collard green stand out in the garden. Earthy and slightly bitter in taste, they are a personal favorite! 

Click here for many more beginning how-to posts, including lettuce, corn, squash, and more!