Beginner Gardening: greens out of control...uh oh..., 1 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Ellianor,
I grew mustards and collards for the 1st time last fall, from seedlings planted outside in my EBs during Thanksgvng break. Huge, Beautiful greens cut down to a few baby leaves for Christmas dinner, then New Years dinner, and twice more until I finally cut them down when the temps got into the 70s. Then they started to bolt (start to make seeds, which is what your's are doing now.) What're your average daytime temps now?

If you still have more relatively cool weather (50-60-70 degrees) ahead of you, I'd cut them back to just a few baby leaves (your kitchen scissors will work wonderfully well for this). If it was just a hot snap for a short period that made them bolt, they should start to grow back again, and you'll be on track

The Bugs come and bolting starts when it gets too warm. Here's my EB mustards and collards from Fall '08. Don't be discouraged. Greens are EASY to grow and will keep coming back as long as the weather is cool/cold enough for 'em to be content.

P.S. I slow cook 'em overnight in my crock pot with onions, bell pepper and ham hocks, so cooking leaves that average 18-22" long (my DH measured 'em!) serves me well.

"Lilly Mae's Greens" recipe is in the tags

Lemme know how you make out!

Linda

This message was edited Jun 16, 2009 1:09 PM

This message was edited Jun 16, 2009 1:14 PM