How to Build a Salad Box or Table

I first came across the concept of salad boxes and tables while watching the PBS show, Cultivating Life. The idea behind them is pretty start forward - many salad crops have shallow root systems and therefore only require 3 to 4 inches of soil medium in order to grow. Building a salad box or table made out of 2 x 4's enables you to harvest fresh greens right at your doorstep or even on small balcony. As a result, they are ideal for urban areas and for gardeners with limited amounts of growing space. Since they are movable, salad boxes and tables also allow you to extend your growing season. Finally, I think they would look quite attractive in any kitchen garden.

Here are the materials I used to construct a large salad box:

6 - 2 x 4 x 30 inch pieces of pine
16 - 3 inch galvanized screws
1 - 30 x 36 inch piece of aluminum screen
1 - 30 x 36 inch piece of hardware cloth (with 1/2 inch mesh)
2 - galvanized door pull/handle
4 - 1 inch galvanized screws
staple gun and staples

(Note: Since I wanted to build two of these boxes, I purchased three 2" x 4" x 12' lumber and asked the sales attendant to cut them down to twelve 30" lengths.)


1. Start by constructing the frame. Screw together four of the 2 x 4's (using two 3-inch screws at each corner) to build frame measuring 30 x 34 inches.


2. Attach the aluminum screen to the frame using a staple gun. The side of the screen measuring 36 inches should be placed on top of the side of the frame measuring 34 inches, leaving about an inch of overhang on each side. Start by stapling the corners and then at the center of each side, lightly stretching the screen taut as you do so. Then place a staple every 4 inches or so along the frame.


3. Place the hardware cloth on top of the screen and repeat step 2. The hardware cloth adds stretch and rigidity to the bottom of the salad box.


4. Fold and staple the excess screen and hardware cloth onto the sides of the frame.


5. Place the two remaining 2 x 4's on top of the hardware cloth (positioning them about 8 inches from each side) and attach them using the remaining 3-inch screws. These will serve as the legs of the salad box and add greater stability to the frame.


6. Attach the handles to opposite sides of the box. I placed mine about 14 inches from one end and at a slight angle simply because this felt most comfortable for me. Imagine that you are carrying a rather large laundry basket with your arms stretched out and one side of the basket resting against your lower abdomen as you walk. Ideally, you want to attach the handles to where you imagine your hands would grasp the frame in this position.


And there you have it. Pretty simple, right? The box offers about 30 x 26 inches of growing space. I can probably manage moving this box (soil and all) by myself but some of you may want to build a box half this size. This year, I intend to grow all of my baby leaf salad greens in these boxes as well as some mini-heads of lettuce and certain varieties of Asian greens (like Bonsai pak choi, tatsoi and mizuna).

If you'd like more information on salad boxes and tables, including other building designs, what soil mix to use and what greens to grow, visit the following links:

Martha Stewart's Website

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

University of Maryland

Seed Box

I love finding new uses for old items (or in this case, things in the back of the closet that have never been used at all). While boxing up some odds and ends for the big move, I found this metal lunch box in the trash pile. I thought to myself, "what a perfect place to keep seeds!" I'd like to see a mouse get through this. (Then again, I probably shouldn't underestimate a mouse.)

Sowing Seed

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased a seed starting kit from Johnny's Selected Seed. It came with 4 cell trays of varying sizes, 1 20 row seed flat, a clear acrylic dome and 5 leak-proof trays. The cell trays and dome are a bit flimsy but the leak-proof trays are sturdy enough. Overall, not bad for the price. Also, I was really impressed by the delivery time. I placed my order Sunday night and received my package the following Tuesday. I will definitely be ordering from Johnny's again. I have my eye on the 6 row seeder (not really practical for the home garden, but the look of ultra-neatly planted rows of salad greens and carrots is so appealing!) and broadfork. I think my next purchase will be some hardy winter greens like mache, claytonia and spinach.

The other day, I started seeding some beans, zucchini, broccoli and beets in order to get a head start on the new garden. However, after reading other local gardening blogs, I feel as though I should have done this earlier. Oh well, we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that we get to harvest some of these veggies this year. At worst, it will be a learning experience. (Note to self: I better reread some of Eliot Coleman's season extending ideas.)

I think I may start the peas and asian greens tomorrow as well. I've read that peas don't transplant well but I'm willing to take the risk in order to better insure a harvest. I'll direct sow the carrots, more beets, more asian greens, and the rest of the peas when we get the garden dug. Heck, with the way the weather's been, I may consider getting a head start on the salad greens.