The whole thing is called a salad tree. When we first heard about it, we were immediately hooked. Without further ado, we read up on the subject and built our own lettuce tree – and documented the process, of course. So here are the instructions, have fun reading and rebuilding!
The material required for the salad tree.
The required material
So before we start building, here’s an overview of the materials we need. We need
- a drainage pipe that will later act as the trunk of the salad tree. The size required ultimately depends on the plans and conditions. We opted for a pipe about one metre long.
- a saucer and a pot that is large enough to fit the pipe and still have enough space around it for some soil. With a pipe length of one metre or more, a drainage pipe should also be planned. We bought an additional thin pipe and small-grained gravel for this purpose.
- Peat-free organic potting soil (direct link to Amazon)*
- young plants.
As a tool:
- a cordless drill
- a socket outlet attachment for wood (direct link to the article on Amazon)*
- a small wood drill (approx. ⌀ 4) (direct link to the article on Amazon)*
- If necessary, a small saw to shorten the drainage and/or drain pipe.
- And for the aesthetes among you, maybe some sandpaper.
Drilling the planting holes.
Preparation of the pipes
The first step is to prepare the pipes. The required planting holes, in our case ten, are drilled into the pipe. Three things should be borne in mind: Firstly, the spacing must be large enough so that the adult plants can thrive in them. Secondly, the holes should be drilled offset so that the trunk does not lose the necessary stability and, last but not least, the planting holes should not be drilled right to the end of the tube, as this will later disappear into the planter so that the finished lettuce tree can withstand the wind and weather and does not fall over.
The finished lettuce tree trunk after drilling.
The preparation of the drainage pipe requires an explanation: our experiments have shown us that a pipe that is open at the bottom, evenly drilled through and filled with gravel is not particularly helpful as drainage. Although the plants at the bottom of the pipe get plenty of water, the plants further up the stem go almost empty-handed. The solution? Quite simple: the thin drainage pipe is bent or folded at the lower end so that the irrigation water cannot run out directly, but instead accumulates. In addition, the distance between the holes increases from top to bottom. So while we still drill about one hole per square centimetre at the top end of the drainage pipe, we gradually reduce this until we only drill about one hole per 8 square centimetres at the bottom end of the pipe. This then ensures a more even distribution of the irrigation water when the drainage pipe is filled.
Topf mit Kiesdrainage.
Bringing together what belongs togetherrt.
Now we finally assemble the tree: First, we place the planter on the saucer and fill the planter with a low drainage layer of gravel or ceramic shards.
Lettuce tree trunk with drainage pipe.
Then we fill the pot with some potting soil, turn the perforated tree trunk tube into it and finally place the drainage tube in the centre.
Salad tree trunk filled
The final step is to carefully fill the lettuce tree trunk with soil. To prevent the potting soil from falling out again immediately, it is a good idea to wrap the trunk with damp newspaper before filling and remove it again immediately after filling and compacting.
The planted lettuce tree.
The planting
Now it is very easy to plant the finished tree trunk: Press a hole into the soil by hand, carefully insert the seedlings and add a little soil if necessary. Now water and enjoy!
Four weeks later…
Here is another picture showing the lettuce tree about four weeks after planting: The seedlings have made a great start and the first leaves are still dangling around a little sadly. However, the lettuces that have grown back are really strong and healthy. We will report here from time to time on how the lettuce tree is doing through the summer and in high temperatures.
Now we hope you enjoy growing your own and look forward to your comments, suggestions for improvement, experience reports and, of course, photos!
Our salad tree after four weeks.
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