Leaf Vegetables
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Lettuce
Crisp, tender lettuce is perhaps the most desirable of all salad plants. For the best flavor and texture, it is best grown with close attention to moisture, soil, and climatic requirements. Lettuce was originally a Eurasian annual; it has been developed into many varieties and cultivars with dozens of forms. For the home gardener lettuce […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts–called sprouts by some and thousand-headed cabbage by others–is a peculiar member of the cabbage family. It is an erect, thick single-stalked plant with a leafy top and at the base of the lower leafstalks appear “buttons” or buds that are small, miniature cabbage head-like balls. The sprouts are eaten cooked as a side […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Spinach
Spinach is a great-tasting early-season green. Next to the dandelion is the first green that can be harvested in early spring. It is also one of the best fall and winter crops. Spinach is a cool-season annual. Plant spinach before the weather warms in spring and again as the weather cools in early autumn. (When […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Cabbage
Cabbage is a cool-weather crop. Grow cabbage in spring so that it comes to harvest before the summer heat or start cabbage in mid to late summer so that it comes to harvest during the cool days of autumn, winter, or early spring. Cabbages will grow in most soils. They prefer short days and cool […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Arugula — Rocket
Arugula–also known as rocket, garden rocket, and roquette–is a dense, low-growing plant with long, smooth, soft-lobed, bright green leaves. Arugula is a cool-weather leafy crop. Grow arugula in spring and autumn. Arugula leaves can be harvested about six weeks after sowing seeds. Arugula plants will continue to produce succulent leaves as long as the weather […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Kale
Kale is a leafy cool-weather crop that requires two months of cool weather to reach harvest. Kale is a biennial plant, a hardy brassica (member of the cabbage/mustard family). Mature kale leaves can be coarse but there are several types that are grown for their tender, palatable young leaves. Kale is an important leaf crop […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Radicchio
Radicchio–also called red chicory–is a cool-weather crop. Radicchio is grown for its rosette of broad red leaves used in salads; its leaves are similar to the leaves of sugarloaf chicory but with a more biting flavor. Radicchio is a form of chicory which is a perennial, but radicchio is commonly grown as an annual. Radicchio has […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are a cool-season leaf crop. Mustard is a hardy leaf vegetable with a rosette of large light or dark green curly leaves that grow to 3 feet (.9m) tall. Leaves and leaf stalks are eaten and have a peppery flavor. The seeds can be ground and used as a condiment. Here is your […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Sorrel
Sorrel is a cool-season perennial often grown as an annual. Sorrel is often grown from root divisions. Sorrel can be grown from seed sown in the garden as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average last frost date in spring. Sorrel will be ready for harvest 60 days after sowing. Here is your […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Cardoon
Cardoon is a tender perennial vegetable often grown as an annual. Cardoon looks like a cross between burdock and celery. It is grown for its young leaf stalks which are blanched and eaten like celery. Cardoon has heavy, gray-green, fuzzy leaves that are deeply cut leaves and a heavy, bristled flower head. Cardoon is a […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a member of the beet family grown for its rosette of large, crinkly green leaves on thick red, white, or rainbow stalks. Plants can grow to 16 inches tall and leaves and stalks can be harvested several times over the course of a season on a cut-and-come-again schedule. Swiss chard can be […] More
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How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest New Zealand Spinach
New Zealand spinach is a perennial grown as a warm-weather annual. Plant New Zealand spinach in the warm part of the year when regular spinach will not grow. The two plants are not related but can be used fresh or cooked in the same way. Here is your complete guide to growing New Zealand spinach! […] More
Stephen Albert
