MN Local Grower Raises Lettuce For Year Round Sales
James Salmons is known for his lettuce offerings, but, what makes his local growers story unique is he offers it year-round…in Minnesota! And he grows it throughout the year in his basement.
The idea for year-round lettuce production was bourne out of necessity for this Alexandria, MN man.
“About four years ago, during the winter when our garden was buried under snow, I found myself at a local grocery store unable to find a single package of lettuce worth taking home,” he said. “I immediately went home and planted some lettuce under a shop light in the basement.”
And it grew and flourished! He told some friends, who showed an interest in buying some, and Salmons set up more of his growing stations.
“Everything mushroomed from there!” he said.
Even when it’s summer and he and his wife, Louella, plant a large outdoor garden, he continues to grow lettuce in the basement.
“Soon after I planted my first lettuce, I realized that the temperature and humidity were perfect in the basement for year-round lettuce growing,” he said.
They have personal living areas in the basement so it’s heated and cooled with the rest of the house. The basement is, like most basements, somewhat cooler than their ground level living area and it’s also more humid.
“Not only is it right for winter production, but it is cool in the summer so the summer heat will not make the lettuce bitter as is commonly experienced outside,” he added.
He gets his seeds from Johnny’s Seeds. The primary crop is the All Star Gourmet Leaf Lettuce Mix which he feels offers a variety of texture and color. He also grows Salanova varieties and Crispino Iceberg lettuce.
The indoor lettuce is grown on Seville Steel Wire Shelving which makes it easy to hang shop style LED light, he said. He uses three lights on each shelf to provide enough light.
Most of the lettuce is started in 200 cell pack 1020 trays and is transplanted after two weeks into 50 cell packs for another three weeks. The first are top watered with a mist sprayer and the latter are bottom watered. Sturdy microgreen trays hold the 1050s for ease of carrying and watering, he added.
When he realized people were interested in buying his lettuce mixes throughout the year, Salmons chose to sell at the Alexandria (MN) Farmers Market in the summer. He wanted to support the market as a vital asset to the community.
Customers who stop at his Farmers Market stand are told of his year-round lettuce offering. Through his efforts Salmons gains customers throughout the year.
Salmons got the gardening bug early from his family. In fact, it seems like it was almost in his genetic make up to grow things. He grew up in southern Minnesota and has lived in Alexandria for 40 years, he said. Both Salmons and his wife, Louella came from families who had vegetable gardens.
“So we consider vegetable growing a normal part of life,” he said.
His first memory of his own gardening experience takes him back to second grade. I am not talking about the classroom here, but the age. His parents gave him a small area just inside the family’s garden where he could grow whatever he wanted. His plot turned out to be a whole bed of pansies.
Into his adulthood, Salmons has maintained a vegetable garden. He was an active Master Gardener with the Douglas County/Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardeners.
About 25 years ago, the Salmons operated a part-time farmers market they named “Fresh from the Garden” because their customers could walk out directly to the garden and choose their own tomatoes, kohlrabi, peppers and more.
When other work responsibilities grew, they discontinued the operation, although they maitnained their .garden for their own use.
They do grow some lettuce in the garden and sell it with the indoor bagged lettuce and vegetables at the Alexandria (MN) Farmers Market. The market is open three days during the week and Salmons said he often sells out of lettuce within the first hour.
While they do have a web site and Facebook presence, the couple has not worked with their sites much.
“We are selling all we can grow so far with the time we have for our gardening activities,” Salmons said.
“Our market gardening is and will remain a part-time activity, since wer are also committed to our regular work,” he said. “We operate a home-based long-term care program for senior adults.”
Through their licensed adult foster care home, they provide home style living and personal care for up to five residents. They’ve been doing it for more than 25 years.
And the gardens? They provide nutritious food for the residents as well as the sales to friends and neighbors.
Check them out on Facebook at Fresh From The Garden or their website freshfromthegarden.farm. There is contact information at both sites if you have a question.
