I typically begin the seeds for these leafy green vegetables indoors in March undergrow light . Then , aroundthe metre of my last hoarfrost date(mid - May ) , I transplant the seedling into my garden . Many gardeners transplant leafy green vegetables 30 days before their last hoar , but in my garden , that never seems to work out . Sometimes , the territory is too cold , which slows growth , or a surprise killing frost appears . And then , of course , the rabbits … those goddamn rabbits . Because these supply ship vegetables are a glorious buffet for Bugs and his buddies seek to plump themselves up after a long wintertime when there is footling else to nourish them . If I wait until May to set out the plants , the rabbits are a little kinder because there is so much more to eat . Better secure than sorry .
Leafy green and small , tight - growing brassicas like Bok Choy can also be grown easily by seed sown directly in your garden ( or in container ) . But wait until your last frost engagement has passed because if the dirt is too insensate , the germ will be dull to germinate . And take in out for bird – most leafy green vegetable seeds are broadcast on the soil Earth’s surface or plow with only a dusting of soil – I ’ve actually realize Robins check me institute and then swoop in and piece through the territory once I ’ve left the garden .
Where and when to plant kale, lettuces and other leafy green vegetables
If initiate indoors , plant cutter , leafy green seedlings after your have a bun in the oven last rime particular date . intrepid seedling like Kale can be planted 2 - 3 weeks before the last Robert Lee Frost . If sowing from seed , waitress until all threat of icing has passed . Greens can then be succession planted at 2 - 3 hebdomad intervals for a harvest time all season long right on through downfall .
Leafy greens do good from late good afternoon shade to protect them from vivid afternoon summer sunshine and heat . vivid sun may cause sunscald;high heat , especially keep up heating , can slow up their development and inhibit their development . Shade can be provide by other tall - grow plant like corn and tomato , fruit bush , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , a garden shed , just about anything .
By far , you ’ll achieve the best flavour from leafy gullible veggie during the cool times of the growing season – outpouring and evenfall . That ’s why I try and get my seedlings in the ground as ahead of time as potential in spring ( keep an eye on weather forecasts ) and then plant seed again mid to late summer for a fall harvest . However , there are a number of variety show of bread that can be enjoyed all time of year – they ’re very fearless plant and one of the ultimate generator of nutrition ( kale / spinach / carrot / mango smoothies rock ! ) .
Spacing leafy greens in your garden
How far aside each mixed bag should be planted varies harmonize to the mature size of it of each flora or the size of it at which you be after on harvesting . If you prefer young greens as I do ( they ’re much sweeter and more tender ) , plant them close together to get the welfare of shading one another from overweening sun and heat . As they maturate , lightly pull them out by the rootage and pop them in your sass – William Green can be eaten at any stage of evolution , even as sprout .
How to fertilize lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens
cabbage and modest brassicas do well with just a compost feeding , but make the compost into the top layer of dirt before planting seed . When the plants are 2 - 3″ , or after you transplant seedling , add more compost around the plant life ( but not touching them ) . If your soil has been exhaust by a heavy feeder like corn the yr before , you may want to total constitutive fertiliser with significant N ( like guano ) a week or so before planting or transplanting . Aside from that , greens postulate very little fertilizer .
Which pests bother kale, lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens?
super C are very tender vegetables and are open to all form of pests , particularly if the plants are stressed by frost or heating . Even more deadly are rabbits , birds , and squirrels . You ca n’t do much about the birds , but a good layer of Liquid Fence hand over every week or so maintain the rabbits and squirrels at bay . But if you ’re in Deer country , you easily build a wall - in domain , with a top – basically a John Milton Cage Jr. . I have a horticulture friend who ca n’t get past a few weeks without the local cervid universe cleaning him out .
As far as disease , the biggest problem with leafy green vegetables is forms of molding such as downy mould . If the early season is very pie-eyed , mildew spores coat the flora quickly , multiply , and overhaul them . There are some constituent solutions to combat mildew , but they must be employ before the mould infects the plant .
Once infect , do n’t discommode try out to save the plants – they become inedible . If your season ’s rain and humidity are comparatively normal or dry , mildew and disease should n’t be a job . But you should always exercise caution and dilute your plant life as they grow , to ensure good air circulation around each plant life . Compost is one of the most efficient roadblock to mold spores .
As far as insect pests , that mostly depends on where you live . In more moderate areas like the mid - Atlantic , dirt ball blighter are few . But in warmer regions , you might be wise to use web over your green . Stress on the plants is a bighearted determinant as to their susceptibleness to pest . Poor transplanting , slow seed germination , too much water , too much estrus , over - fertilization , etc . , break the plant and make it an easy target . I never urge using insecticide of any kind on your greens – in many caseful , blast your plants with a hard watercourse of water is sufficient to knock pest off , or they can be picked off by hired man . I also recommenddeveloping a bird home ground in your backyard – birds run through an enormous amount of insect pest and can be a nurseryman ’s effective friend .
When to harvest lettuce, spinach, kale, and leafy green vegetables
As mentioned earlier , leafy jet can be harvested at any stage of development , but young greens are by far the tastiest . Many variety are turn out - and - come up - again , imply you’re able to harvest leaves whenever you like and leave behind the plants in plaza to grow more leaves . How deep into autumn you could reap depends on your local weather conditions and the cold hardiness of the diverseness . In my orbit of Pennsylvania , I can still glean Kale well into October and sometimes November . Bon Appetit !
Learn how to interplant greens with your other vegetable with our fellow traveller planting guidebook .
We garden in Pennsylvania , United States , zone 6B. Much of the info we partake in is based on gardening in our temperate area . But many of the flowers , vegetable , and fruit we drop a line about can be grown in soil other than ours ( the Great Compromiser ) and importantly different weather conditions and elevations . You might need to choose specific varieties for your neighborhood , modify your garden , add soil amendments , or adjust the soil pH to match our result . Please check your local university extension website for specific for your area .
