Heat-Tolerant Salad Greens That Grow All Summer Long

I’ve often wondered why lettuce and spinach aren’t summer crops. Whose idea was it to give us all those sweet, juicy tomatoes and fresh, crisp cucumbers in the summer, but no lettuce or spinach to go with them?

Sure, there are ways to extend the life of your spring greens by giving them more shade or less sun. But… come summer, they’re well on their way to bolting.

For those of us longing for leafy greens even when it registers 90°F outside, all is not lost. You can still grow a summer salad bed without any tricks!

Edible red leaf amaranth

01.

Also known as Chinese spinach, edible red leaf amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) grows quickly—especially in hot, hot weather—and can be harvested just a month after sowing.

Perpetual spinach

02.

In mild climates, perpetual spinach grows all summer long, over fall and winter, and even through the following spring. It’s a versatile green that should be a staple in everybody’s garden!

‘Vulcan’ chard

03.

While not as long-lasting as perpetual spinach, ‘Vulcan’ chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) can tolerate summer temperatures up to 85°F (even higher with afternoon shade or shade cloth) and keeps going until the first frost.

Komatsuna

04.

It’s one of the fastest growing greens in my garden, reaching maturity in just 40 days and producing for several months.

Malabar spinach

05.

Malabar spinach (Basella alba) is a tropical perennial vine with bold red stems that loves to climb… and climb… and climb… capable of reaching 10 feet long but generally staying smaller in home gardens.

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