Greens Section
GREENS
I developed the cut greens planting program based on my time managing a CSA’s production. The idea is to have a near constant supply of fresh greens. Most of the cut greens are good to “cut and come again” allowing for 2-3 harvests, spread out over a couple weeks. Arugula, Lettuce Mix, Spinach and Ovation Greens Mix work together or separately to provide you with a delicious salad every day.
Similarly the head lettuce program supplies you with several heads of lettuce each month. I added a new heat tolerant variety of each Butterhead and Romaine, to provide a quality choice for the hot months.
Three Kale varieties, Swiss Chard, Collards and Asian greens round out the greens section.
Spacing & Yield
On 30” beds, 4 rows of Arugula, Spinach, Allstar & Ovation Greens Mix can be grown in 4 rows, spaced 6” apart.
On 30” beds, 3 rows of Swiss Chard can be planted, spaced 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 3 rows of Head Lettuces can be grown, spaced 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Collard Greens & Pac Choi can be grown, 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Tatsoi can be grown, 6” apart.
On 4’ beds, 6 rows of Arugula, Spinach, Allstar & Ovation Greens Mix can be planted 6” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Head Lettuce can be planted, 8” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Swiss Chard can be planted, 8” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Pac Choi and Collard Greens can be planted, 1’ apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Tatsoi can be grown 6” apart.
Pest Control
Arugula, Ovations Greens mix, Tatsoi and Pac Choi are susceptible to flea beetles, floating row covers installed at time of planting is the best protection. Many other insects like to live in salad mixes.
I developed the cut greens planting program based on my time managing a CSA’s production. The idea is to have a near constant supply of fresh greens. Most of the cut greens are good to “cut and come again” allowing for 2-3 harvests, spread out over a couple weeks. Arugula, Lettuce Mix, Spinach and Ovation Greens Mix work together or separately to provide you with a delicious salad every day.
Similarly the head lettuce program supplies you with several heads of lettuce each month. I added a new heat tolerant variety of each Butterhead and Romaine, to provide a quality choice for the hot months.
Three Kale varieties, Swiss Chard, Collards and Asian greens round out the greens section.
Spacing & Yield
On 30” beds, 4 rows of Arugula, Spinach, Allstar & Ovation Greens Mix can be grown in 4 rows, spaced 6” apart.
On 30” beds, 3 rows of Swiss Chard can be planted, spaced 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 3 rows of Head Lettuces can be grown, spaced 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Collard Greens & Pac Choi can be grown, 1’ apart.
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Tatsoi can be grown, 6” apart.
On 4’ beds, 6 rows of Arugula, Spinach, Allstar & Ovation Greens Mix can be planted 6” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Head Lettuce can be planted, 8” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Swiss Chard can be planted, 8” apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Pac Choi and Collard Greens can be planted, 1’ apart.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Tatsoi can be grown 6” apart.
- Cut Greens yield about ¼ - ½# per row foot per week, with a second or third harvest after re-growth.
- Bunch Greens produce a small bunch (~6 leaves) every week or two after re-growth.
- Head Lettuces produce one head per plant.
Pest Control
Arugula, Ovations Greens mix, Tatsoi and Pac Choi are susceptible to flea beetles, floating row covers installed at time of planting is the best protection. Many other insects like to live in salad mixes.
Allstar Greens Mix
$0.60/ Row Foot 28 Days Planting (Harvest): 4/4 (5/2), 4/18 (5/16), 5/16 (6/13), 8/15 (9/12), 9/12 (10/10) “Our most popular mix. Ruffled edges and unique leaf shapes provide loft, interesting texture, good shelf life, and fancy appearance. Includes green oakleaf, red oakleaf, green romaine, red romaine, lollo rossa, and red leaf lettuces.” |
Five Star Greenhouse Lettuce Mix
$0.86/Row Foot 35 Days Planting (Harvest): 6/13 (7/18), 7/11 (8/15) “The components were selected for their uniform growth rates, ability to hold their color (especially red leaf varieties) and resistance to downy mildew. Includes green oakleaf, red oakleaf, red romaine, green leaf, and red leaf lettuces.” |
Buttercrunch Bibb Lettuce
$0.75 / Plant 52 Days Planting (Harvest): 4/4 (5/24), 4/18 (6/7), 5/16 (7/5), 8/15 (10/4), 9/12 (11/1) “…’the cucumber of lettuce, smooth and soothing with a green refreshing flavor.’ Dark green outer leaves with creamy center heart. New York market lettuce grower Lisa Bloodnick praises its ‘sweet, succulent broad mid-ribs.’” |
Adriana Bibb Lettuce
$0.75/ Plant 48 Days Planting (Harvest): 6/13 (7/31), 7/11 (8/28) “Heat tolerant dark green butterhead. Developed by the same talented breeder who gave us Ermosa, Adriana is large and has a broad disease package. Heads are full and dense with good flavor. Good tolerance to tipburn and bolting.” |
Bright Lights Swiss Chard
$1.00 / Plant 55 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 4/4 (5/29), 4/18 (6/12) “Lightly savoyed, green or bronze leaves with stems of gold, pink, orange, purple, red, and white with bright and pastel variations. Consistent growth rate and strong bolt resistance across all colors makes this a superior mix. “ |
Kale
Kale is a full season staple. Get one plant in the spring; you will have it growing in the fall. One plant is enough for most families, but if you would like different types get more varieties!
Spacing & Yield
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Kale can be planted, 1’ apart; expect yields of 1 bunch (~6 leaves) every week or two.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Kale can be planted, 1’ apart; expect yields of one bunch (~6 leaves) every week or two.
Pests
Kale does not suffer badly much from pests. Tuscano is susceptible to cabbage loopers.
Kale is a full season staple. Get one plant in the spring; you will have it growing in the fall. One plant is enough for most families, but if you would like different types get more varieties!
Spacing & Yield
On 30” beds, 2 rows of Kale can be planted, 1’ apart; expect yields of 1 bunch (~6 leaves) every week or two.
On 4’ beds, 3 rows of Kale can be planted, 1’ apart; expect yields of one bunch (~6 leaves) every week or two.
Pests
Kale does not suffer badly much from pests. Tuscano is susceptible to cabbage loopers.
Darkibor Kale
$1.00 / Plant 75 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 4/4 (6/18), 4/18 (7/2) – Harvests throughout the year “Organic, curly green kale. Similar to Winterbor, Darkibor is just as tall, somewhat later to mature, and slightly less curled. The color is more of a medium green versus the darker and bluer green colors of Winterbor and Starbor. A sturdy kale, with tight curl and close internodes” |
Tuscano Kale
$1.50 / Plant 65 Days to First Harvest Planting (Harvest): 4/4 (6/8), 4/18 (6/22) – Harvests throughout the year *Season Extension Required “Italian heirloom. Lacinato or "dinosaur" type. Unique leaf type: extra-dark green, noncurled but heavily blistered (savoyed). Rich, tender leaves have a softer texture than curly green kales.” |