Direct sow salad leaves outdoors in summer or in an unheated greenhouse or windowsill all year round in pots or trays of moist, multipurpose compost. Grow salad leaves in well prepared, fertile, moist soil in sun or semi shade. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 1cm (1/2") in drills 23cm (9") apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. If sown thinly, no thinning should be required for 'baby salad leaves', otherwise they can be thinned to 5cm (2in) for large salad leaves.
Water salad leaves regularly. Dry weather may cause plants to bolt so watering is particularly critical. Harvest baby salad leaves when required by picking a few leaves from each plant.