SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Salad Bowl

Lettuce
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Salad Bowl to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Salad Bowl
55d to harvest

Tender, cool-season leaves unfurl with a fresh, sweet snap—Salad Bowl’s loose rosette forms a lush mound of buttery-green foliage that feels silky yet crisp in the hand. Expect a mild, garden-fresh flavor and a satisfying, tender texture that holds beautifully for salads and quick tosses, with leaves that stay pleasantly crisp when served cold. Ideal for home beds and containers, Salad Bowl is a dependable choice for continuous harvests from spring through early fall.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 40°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Start cool and give it consistent moisture; transplant when nights are reliably above freezing to keep the rosettes tender and avoid bolting.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsNov 25th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity55
Sun RequirementsPart SunPartial sun
Growth HabitRosette
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthSurface
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)40
Min Night Temp (°F)32
Harden Off (days)5

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Salad Bowl in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 40°F before transplanting Salad Bowl.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

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Rover Radish
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Eruca vesicaria (salad bowl/arugula) leaves getting holes or looking silvery, and how do I fix it?
Holes are often from flea beetles, while silvery scarring can come from thrips. Start by covering seedlings with fine row cover until plants are established, and remove heavily damaged leaves. If you see ongoing feeding, apply insecticidal soap early in the morning and repeat every 5–7 days while damage continues.
How often should I water salad bowl arugula during the main growing phase (after sprouting)?
Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for consistent moisture across the root zone to prevent bitterness and bolting. In warm weather, this usually means watering about 1–2 times per week, with lighter, more frequent watering if the top 1 inch dries out quickly. Water at the soil level and avoid soaking the leaves to reduce Brassicaceae foliar diseases.
When is salad bowl arugula ready to harvest, and how do I know the timing is right?
Harvest when plants reach about 6–8 inches tall and individual leaves are tender (typically around 35–55 days, depending on temperature). You can start “cut-and-come-again” by snipping outer leaves first, leaving the center to regrow. If you see flower stalks or leaves become sharply peppery and tough, harvest immediately before quality drops.

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 40°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

Start cool and give it consistent moisture; transplant when nights are reliably above freezing to keep the rosettes tender and avoid bolting.

Botanical illustration of Salad Bowl

Tender, cool-season leaves unfurl with a fresh, sweet snap—Salad Bowl’s loose rosette forms a lush mound of buttery-green foliage that feels silky yet crisp in the hand. Expect a mild, garden-fresh flavor and a satisfying, tender texture that holds beautifully for salads and quick tosses, with leaves that stay pleasantly crisp when served cold. Ideal for home beds and containers, Salad Bowl is a dependable choice for continuous harvests from spring through early fall.