The flowerbed lettuce is ready, and I am appalled at the amount of water I waste washing it and collards in season.  What is the most efficient way to get the dust and grit off my greens, without using all of this water?  I dare not take a hose out there--the tenants will have all of their relatives sneaking in at night to wash cars, so I can't even reveal the location of the hose bib and the mini-garden goes unwatered.  Health department rules mean I can't keep recycled water around.

 Can you shake off as much dirt as possible, then wash in the house in a dish pan or large bowl?  That way you can save the water from the cleaning, and pour it back on the garden.  You are making your water do double duty.  Edey

 That's exactly what I do. I bring it inside in a bowl, fill it with water and wash the greens, then put them on a kitchen towel to drain while I take the water outside and put it on the garden. It can take a couple of times, but at least you don't waste the water. 

I take one step futher I give them a quick spin in the salad spinner .                                                                                                                                                                        

littlepitcher:

What is the most efficient way to get the dust and grit off my greens, without using all of this water? 

I pick a decent handful of lettuce leaves from the outside of the plants every day. I swish them in a bowl of water & then dump it ont he plants that are just outside the front door.  As long as I don't bring in the roots, I don't get a lot of dirt on the leaves, just dust. I shake the leaves lightly in a dishtowel, then put them in a plastic zip bag in the fridge. I don't use as much as I pick every day, but when youngest DD comes home, there is always a bag of fresh garden lettuce for her to take back.  My lettuce patch is only about 15" long, so as long as I pick daily, the lettuce keeps producing.