Greens

An easy to grow, popular vegetable.

A short, but active, growing season characterizes most greens. Rapid growth occurs if greens have a good supply of plant nutrients and ample moisture.

Greens are popular vegetables for a home garden. They are easy to grow and produce a good return for the amount of space they occupy. The following greens can be planted in the fall: mustard, collards, spinach, kale, and turnip.

A short, but active, growing season character-izes most greens. Rapid growth occurs if greens have a good supply of plant nutrients and ample moisture.

Good seed beds are required…

Each of these vegetables, except spinach, is small-seeded. You will need to prepare a good seed bed to insure good contact between the soil and the seed. Mustard and turnip seed may be broadcast over the bed and raked in or planted in several drills on the row. If plants are too crowded, thin them. Use the thinned plants as greens.

Kale, which is like collards but smaller, should be spaced about six inches apart at its final thinning. Space spinach about three or four inches apart.

Fertilize and adapt pH…

Greens will grow on a fairly wide range of soil pH. On extremely acid soil, add enough lime to bring the pH to 6.0. Fertilize these crops at the rate of three or four pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 feet of row on soils of medium to low fertility.

On highly fertile soils, you may need to apply only one-half pound of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet of row. If plant leaves begin to yellow, side dress again with one-half pound of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet or row.

For tender greens, harvest when the leaves are young.

For more information on greens contact your local County Extension Office.