How to grow an endless supply of leafy greens

Growing your own leafy greens means you can harvest fresh, crisp and nutrient-dense vegies, just when you need them. No more wilted bags of spinach and lettuce turning to mush in the fridge, which you inevitably toss out, along with your hard-earned dollars. With the right varieties, you can enjoy months of continuous harvests from just a single packet of seeds or seedlings, costing no more than a few bucks!

Our favourite varieties that thrive in the heat

Silverbeet and rainbow chard

Colourful and generous, silverbeet and rainbow chard are among the easiest leafy greens you can grow. They are hardy and unbothered by pests. In hot climates, choose a position with some afternoon shade like under taller growing plants such as fruit trees, tomatoes or amaranth. Harvest the outer leaves regularly and you’ll have baskets of greens to devour.

Malabar/Ceylon spinach

One of the most reliable sources of summer spinach in hot and humid climates. This leafy green is an attractive climbing spinach that grows vigorously over arches, trellises or fences, saving you space. The more you pick, the more it produces, keeping you in spinach for many months of the year. The leaves are fleshy and are great in stir-fries and soups.

Lettuce

There’s nothing quite like the crisp, sweet crunch of homegrown lettuce, picked straight from the garden and enjoyed in a fresh salad. It’s a far cry from the limp, bagged leaves at the supermarket, and surprisingly easy to grow with the right heat-tolerant varieties. Our favourite low-bolt lettuces include Australian Yellow Leaf, All-Year-Round and Little Gem. Grow in partial shade and pick outer leaves for a continuous supply.

Amaranth

Fast-growing and ornamental, amaranth thrives in warm climates. There are red, green and bicolour varieties, all edible and packed with nutrients. Pick young leaves for salads or use as a spinach substitute. If left to mature, plants will produce dramatic flower spikes and high-protein amaranth grain. Leave ample room between plants as they can be large!

To learn more about Jian’s favourite bang for your buck vegies that are perfect for summer, get a copy of Spring 2025 issue (OG 160). Look for it in supermarkets and newsagents or head here to get a copy delivered to your door.