FAQ's

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Salad Table Team is always here to answer your questions. If we don't have your answer in the list below contact us and we will sort it fast.

Check out our video below. It takes you from assembly to harvesting.

What can i grow?

You can grow almost anything. Salad Table owners are experimenting all the time with new ideas and new successes. Below are just a few of the varieties we grow ourselves and have also grown on a commercial scale on our farm,
Coriander, parsley, watercress, strawberries, thyme, dill, kale, oak leaf lettuce, coral lettuce, cos lettuce, butterhead lettuce, basil, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, choy, celery, wombok cabbage, cucumber, mint, lemon basil, mustard greens, silverbeet, endive, swiss chard, chives, lavender, marjoram, sage, beans, chillies, mizuna and more...Experiment, you be the farmer.

What is the best position for The Salad Table?

Your Salad Table is best placed where it receives a decent amount of sun as plants will grow faster and you will get better quality produce. If you only recieve morning or afternoon sun this will still give you excellent quality fresh herbs and vegetables all year round. The Salad Table is very light and simple to move around your balcony or yard. As a large number of plant varieties are sensitive to frost, it is best to protect them in the cooler months if frost is a problem in your area. You can cover The Salad Table with netting or move it to a protected position to eliminate frost damage.

How do I assemble The Salad Table?

It is very important to ensure you place the Salad Table top with the drainage end towards the lower end. Attach the legs to the base and identify the end that is lower when placed on a flat level surface. Now place the drainage end of the Table top (with the larger pipes and spout) onto the base making sure it aligns with the lower end. Place the nutrient tank under the drainage end and insert the drainage spout into the hole in the lid. Cable and feed line will protrude through the cut out on the opposite side of the lid. Fill tank with nutrient and water, place your seedlings into the Salad Table then sit back and enjoy your new garden. Your Salad Table is designed to sit on a flat level surface but if this is not possible, simply prop up the feed end (the end with the tap) to maintain a slight downward slope.

How long until my Salad Table is delivered?

We should have your Salad Table delivered to you within 5 business days if you live in the Brisbane, Ipswich or Toowoomba areas. All other deliveries throughout Australia usually take 5 - 7 business days after payment is recieved. Please contact us if you have any delivery questions.

How do I order?

SHOP NOW Once you have placed your order and confirmation of payment has been received we will begin the delivery process.

Tell me more about your nutrient

We supply the same nutrient for The Salad Table as we use in our commercial operation. We have proven over the years that our nutrient is all that is required to grow anything and everything, all year round. Your nutrient levels are measured in what is called EC and is a very specific and technical process. But dont worry, we have taken all the guess work out for you. All you have do is follow the instructions below and in no time you will be harvesting your own fresh produce.
The nutrient (plant food) contains all the essential elements to keep plants thriving. The difference with soil gardening is that instead of being held in soil, all the essential elements are put in liquid form and fed directly to the root system. This makes it very simple to have full control over how much food your plants receive which results in faster growing healthy produce. A fast growing healthy plant is less prone to disease and insect attack.
Adding Nutrient

Add 150ml of nutrient A and 150ml of nutrient B to your 60 litre Salad Table tank.
Fill to the brim with water. We recommend rain water for optimum results. As farmers say - it is Gods nectar. It doesnt matter if you dont have access to rainwater as tap water is also fine.
As your plants start to grow you will see the water level start to drop. This is normal as the plants uptake water and nutrient. Other processes such as evaporation take place and this is especially evident during the warmer months or when your herbs and veggies are at their later stages of growth. With larger varieties and mature produce, it is normal to have to refill your nutrient tank every few days. In fact, growing the same amount of produce in soil uses up to 10 times the amount of water that The Salad Table uses.
When topping up the nutrient tank just add the proportionate amount of nutrient to water. For example, filling up from half way you will only need 75ml of A and 75ml of B
As a rule of thumb, use 2.5ml of nutrient A and 2.5ml of nutrient B per 1 litre of water.
We recommend you replenish the tank with a fresh batch of nutrient and water every 3 weeks. Wait for the tank to drop so as to reduce waste. Use the leftover nutrient on other garden plants and watch them grow!!!

Adjusting pH (VERY OPTIONAL)
It is believed that pH stands for "power of Hydrogen" although this term has been disputed for a long time. Simply put, it means how acidic or alkali something is, be it soil, water and even your skin.

0 - being very acidic,
14 -being very alkali
and 7 being neutral

When the pH is not at the proper level, plants will lose their ability to absorb some of the essential elements required for healthy growth. For all plants there is a particular pH level that will produce optimum results. This pH level will vary from plant to plant, but in general most plants prefer a slightly acidic growing environment between 5.5 and 6.5
Lucky for us most herbs and vegetables can survive quite well in a pH environment between 5.0 and 7.5 and it is very rare that your normal pH levels in The Salad Table would ever be outside of these readings.
In my commercial operation my pH levels are measured and adjusted by sensors and computers because there are many thousands of plants fighting for their share of essential elements. This can create large variations in pH levels.
My own Salad Tables have NEVER been pH adjusted and yet I have produced a continous supply of good quality, healthy and nutritious plants for my family and friends and neighbours and work colleagues and strangers for years. The reason for this is the continous addition of nutrient and water. This keeps your pH and EC at optimum levels. We recommend refilling your entire nutrient tank with a new batch of nutrient and water every 3 weeks as discussed above.
If you choose, it is very simple to keep an eye on your pH levels and much easier to check and adjust than soil pH. Most hardware stores and nurseries sell paper test strips or liquid pH test kits that are inexpensive. To adjust pH you simply add pH adjusters for up or down changes, also inexpensive and readily available.

How do I grow my seedlings

Growing your own seedlings has never been easier. Even if you have never tried it before, by following our simple instructions you will have nursery quality (or better) seedlings constantly all year round. The seeds and grow cubes that we provide are the same as we use on our farm.For the 36 plant Salad Table it is best to seed 9 plants per week. By doing this you will create a constant turn over of fresh produce on a 4 week rotation. When you have a flow going, you can seed, harvest and replant seedlings all on the same day and within minutes.

Follow these instructions
Cut or break off the required amount of Growning Cubes and place into a container. It is best to have in a single block of Grow Cubes, e.g. 3 x 3 together. They will hold the nutrient rich water more efficiently.
Place your seed, or seeds depending on what herb/vegetable you are growing into the predrilled hole in the Growing Cube. * Amount of seed required is listed on the back of your seed packet. If you use hardware / nursery seed packs you should use my general rule of thumb. For any large plants like lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes etc use 1 seed in your Grow Cube. If it's a bunch type plant such as parsley, coriander, mint, basil, and other herb types then use about 6 - 10 seeds.
Using the premixed nutrient from your 60 litre Nutrient Tank, wet down the Growing Cubes until they are soaked. Drain off excess water. You should not have any water pooling in the bottom of container.
It is very important not to have your seedlings sitting in a pool of nutrient as they will not grow. It is just as important not to let them dry out totally. You will soon find it easy to work out how moist or dry they are by the weight.
Place your containter in a warm position such as the kitchen window sill where they will recieve a few hours of sun a day. Morning or afternoon sun is perfect. If you put them outside, protect from extreme temperatures, wind, rain, frost and excess sun. When the seedlings are maturing you can leave them outside in a container with drain holes in case it rains. Remember, too much water will kill your seedlings. If you find your seeds are not germinating or going mouldy, try watering from below i.e. add water to your container and allow the water to draw up through the grow cube rather than watering from above. Ensure you tip out the excess water.
Re-water with nutrient from the Nutrient Tank when the Growing Cubes start to dry out. Do not overwater.
By letting them dry a little, the seedling will send out roots to find more nutrient. You will then feed them again to make them strong, followed by drying and roots get bigger. This proccess continues to make the plant strong, healthy and fast growing.
When your seedling is big enough, break it apart like a chocolate block and drop it straight into The Salad Table. In a few short weeks your big fresh healthy bunch will be ready to harvest.
It is as simple as that...
If you find growing your own seedlings is not for you, buy seedling punnets from your local nursery or market, gently wash off the dirt and place the seedling directly into the hole. Larger mature seedlings work better using this method as they are less likely to get washed down the channel. You may need to create a little shade for the first few days until they begin to establish.