Greens

A large and diverse group with some of the the most nutritious edible plants around.  Most are easy to grow and mature quickly making them a wonderful choice  for the beginner gardener.   They are available in two sizes and two different categories based on their usage in the garden.

Our salad greens, cabbage crops and Asian vegetables are all available in 606 packs which means there are 6 plants per insert or container.  They are available early spring once the ground warms up enough but the air can still be a bit frosty and also in late summer for fall and winter production. 

The salad greens cover a lovely selection of foliage plants like Chicory, Lettuce, Radicchio, Escarole, Endive and Beet greens.  We have selected varieties with diversity of foliage texture, colour and tastes. Mixing and matching in the garden can be a lot of fun and provide colourful interest quickly in pots or small garden plots.  With the exception of the beets and some of the lettuce they are all frost tolerant and some you can harvest right into the winter months.  Provide fertile soils and regular gentle liquid feed for best growth.  Full sun exposure is required especially in the colder months but partial shade is ideal in the summer.  Most are cut and come again by removing individual leaves you don't damage the entire plant and the leaves just re-grow for future eating.

Cabbage crops are vegetable staples for many meals.  This group includes Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts.  Large impressive plants they are the focal point of many a vegetable garden. Our selections providing various colours and shapes to make that exciting center point in the veggie garden. Soils should be fertile, well drained but moisture retentive. They prefer full sun though can tolerate some shade especially in the hot summer months.  Most are best in the ground or in very large containers though we have selected compact growing forms where ever possible.  The Broccoli have been selected for their cut and come again qualities for harvest over a long period of time.  The Brussels Sprouts are available in late summer for  Christmas harvest.                                    

Our selection of Asian vegetables is small this year but will expand to encompass more as we gain experience in growing and cooking them.

The second grouping of greens is what we call the accents.  These are plants that can stand on their own as specimen plants in a container or are perennial or have a very long season of interest.  These plants will be available from early spring onwards in 9cm pots. 

For frost tolerant planting either early in the spring or late summer for winter effect are Kale and Swiss Chard.  There are several different forms of each group some ideal for baby greens and small pots and others bold dramatic plants. These plants prefer fertile soils that are moisture retentive yet well drained.  Full sun is preferred especially for winter months but they can tolerate a fair amount of shade. 

For spicy salad accents and cooking there are the perennial plants like Watercress, Landcress or Sorrel. For heat loving Spinach substitutes there is Malabar Spinach (Basella rubra), Tree Spinach (Chenopodium giganteum) and Red Orach (Atriplex hortensis 'Rubra') all very ornamental and edible.