Brightening up the dark December days

As we monitor the progress of the broadleaf salads being grown under the LED lights we continue to be impressed. Despite the dismal, dark and dreary days we have been having in the South West, growing under the lights our salads continue to shine.

The rich, vibrant mixed leaves of the Mesclun tray above grown under the lights, is the same age as the one below, in texture the leaves are succulent, rather than paper thin of the conventional tray.

Seen up close, the difference is even more apparent. The same can be said for one of our green salad leaves, Catalogna Cerbiatta, (below), denser growth, fleshy leaves, which again rich and succulent.

Up close, they too don't disappoint, with the true leaf so much more advanced and glossy.

Although slower to grow, the Red Cos leaves grown under the lights are blood red compared to rather watery and anaemic leaves of those under natural light.

It is very rewarding to think that not only will the salads will now take less time to grow, meaning we won't need to sow as many trays and have to dedicate as much space to them, they will also taste great and look amazing on the a chef's plate - as after all many of us eat with our eyes!