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You know you are a true southerner when your
mouth waters for a meal of these smelly cooked greens!
However, some of the rest of us are learning to
appreciate the flavor of this nutritious vegetable!!!
Kale
Early Curled Siberian
This cold-hardy cabbage relative grows about
18" tall and is topped with a rosette of attractive frilly
leaves. Use the leaves mixed with other greens in salads, as cooked
greens, in stews, and as a garnish. Tastiest crops are timed for
harvest during the cool weather of spring or autumn. Kale makes an
attractive addition to flower gardens. 55-60 days to maturity.
Vates Blue Curled Scotch
This cold-hardy cabbage relative grows about
18" tall and is topped with a rosette of attractive, light green,
frilly leaves. Use the leaves mixed with other greens is salads, as
cooked greens, in stews, and as a garnish. Tastiest crops are timed
for harvest during the cool weather of spring or autumn. Kale grows
well in containers, and plants make an attractive addition to flower
gardens. 55-60 days to maturity.
Hanover Salad
You can't beat Rape if you are looking for tasty
greens with high vitamin and mineral content. The leaves are sweet,
tender and crunchy especially when harvested after exposure to cool
frosty weather. Enjoy greens boiled, steamed, stir fried or as a fresh
addition to salads and sandwiches. 55-70 days to maturity.
Planting: Kale
is a very hardy green that can tolerate some frost and cold. It
will be the last plant to succumb to the cold in the winter. It
is rich in minerals and vitamin A and C. Can be planted in early
spring or late summer for fall/winter harvest. Kale
likes a loamy soil with a pH of 5.5-6. Fertilize before planting
with 1-2 cups of 5-10-10 per 25 foot of row. Kale
can be planted in rows or beds. Work the ground finely and
gently stir into the top of the soil. For large plants thin
seedlings 8-12 inches apart. Harvesting: Start
harvesting when leaves are the size of your hand. Avoid picking the
terminal bud at the top center as this will keep the plant productive. Cut
and cook the larger leaves like spinach. Before cooking, strip the
leaf from the tough rib. Mustard
Florida Broadleaf
The broad, smooth, dark green leaves of this mustard
variety are highly nutritious. Plants grow to 12"-18" tall
and come into production quickly. The mild, spicy flavor is best when
timed for harvest during cool weather. Use raw, steamed or cooked;
either alone or mixed with other greens. 5-10 days to sprout.
Old Fashion
This delicious and nutritious leafy vegetable is
easy to grow and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Plants
are cold tolerant and produce attractive, upright, bright green leaves
with a mild, spicy flavor. Enjoy raw, steamed or cooked and serve
alone or mixed with other greens. 40 days to maturity.
Southern Giant Curled
The deeply curled and fringed leaves of this mustard
variety are highly nutritious. Plants grow to 12-15" tall and
come into production quickly. The mild, spicy flavor is best when
timed for harvest during cool weather. 35-45 days to maturity.
Planting:
Same instructions as for kale.
Harvesting: You can
pick off leaves or cut the entire plant. The tender young leaves
have the most flavor. In the summer's heat the leaves will
become strong. |
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Swiss Chard
Lucullus
Produces very broad, thick white stalks, and thick,
crinkly dark green leaves throughout summer and fall. This
easy-to-grow vegetable not only makes an attractive plant, but is long
lasting, too. Both the stalks and leaves can be picked while the plant
continues to grow. Can also be grown in containers. 55-65 days to
maturity.
Planting:
Chard can tolerate some heat which makes it a nice
succession plant to spinach, etc. Plant in early spring 2-3
weeks before the last frost date. In the fall plant 40 or more
days before the first fall frost date for a fall and early winter
harvest.
Sow in rows 1/2- 3/4 inch deep. When the plants are
3-4 inches tall thin to 4-6 inches.
Chard thrives in well-drained, rich crumbling soil
with a pH of 6-6.8.
Harvest:
Start harvesting when the plants are 6-8 inches
tall. Cut off the outer leaves or the entire plant 1-2 inches
above the ground. New growth will sprout in a week or
two. Chard will not bolt like spinach.
Cooking:
Cook the leafy portion like spinach or use the
midribs and stalks in stir-fries or they can be steamed like
asparagus.
Collards
Champion
One of the most nutritious of all greens. Collards
are extremely popular in the south, and their popularity is growing
rapidly in all other regions. Plants are easy to grow, tolerant of
heat and cold and very rich in vitamins and minerals. The juicy leaves
have a mild cabbage like flavor and are delicious boiled, steamed, or
as an addition to salads. 60-75 days to maturity.
Georgia
This non-heading member of the cabbage family
produces nutritious leaves popular in the south as a cooked vegetable
green. This variety is a vigorous grower that produces, tender, juicy,
blue-green leaves. Plants are easy to grow and tolerant of heat and
cold. Delicious boiled, steamed or in salads.
Morris Heading
One of the most nutritious of all greens. Collards
are extremely popular in the south, and their popularity is growing
rapidly in all other regions. Plants are easy to grow, tolerant of
heat and cold and very rich in vitamins and minerals. The juicy leaves
have a mild cabbage-like flavor and are delicious boiled, steamed, or
as an addition to salads. 60-75 days to maturity Planting: Same
instructions are for kale. Collards are heavy feeders and
side-dressing with cow manure or 1 lb. 5-10-10 fertilizer for
25' row one month after planting is essential. Harvesting: All
the green parts of collards are edible, though many gardeners prefer
only the inner rosette of tender young growth. You can wait
until the stalks are a foot tall and pick only the largest leaves.
Wait to start harvesting after the first frost. Frost improves
the flavor. Mustard-Spinach 
Mustard Spinach
Heat and drought resistance make this mustard
variety reliable and easy to grow. Plants grow about 12" tall and
come into production quickly. The broad, smooth, dark green leaves are
highly nutritious and taste best when timed for harvest during cool
weather. Use raw, steamed or cooked; either alone or mixed with other
greens. 40-45 days to maturity. |
®
Hertzler
Farm
and Feed Inc.