GREENS 

Greens

We specialize in heirloom vegetable, flower, and herb seeds. Look here for vegetables bred in a day when taste was the primary selecting criteria. This is the place to go if you want to grow the best tomatoes you ever tasted!

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offers a many different types of greens. Please select from the following list. CHINESE CABBAGE (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) CULTURE: Chinese cabbage is best planted as a fall crop, otherwise it may bolt prematurely. See cultural notes for cabbage. PACKET: 2 g (about 630 seeds). KALE (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) CULTURE: Kale is a member of the cabbage family, and has similar cultural requirements to collards and cabbage. (See Collards section). Kale is best grown as a spring, fall, or winter vegetable. Flavor is enhanced by frosts and cool temperatures. Kale is best when cooked. PACKET: 2 g (about 625 seeds) sows 55' direct seeded or 230' as transplants. COLLARDS (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) CULTURE: Kale and collards are members of the cabbage family, and have similar cultural requirements (See Cabbage section). They are both forms of non- heading cabbage and are among the earliest forms of cultivated cabbage. Both are exceptionally high in iron and in vitamins A and C. Collards are more heat-tolerant than cabbage and are winter-hardy from Virginia southward. Kale is best grown as a spring, fall, or winter vegetable. The taste of both kale and collards is enhanced by frosts and cool temperatures. Kale is best when cooked. Collards can be either eaten in salads or cooked. SOLAR GREENHOUSE NOTES: Collards are well suited for year-round production, but kale is best grown outside of the greenhouse because it requires cool temperatures and frost to bring out its fine flavor. HARVEST: Clip individual leaves before they are 12" long. Old leaves become tough and stringy. SEED SAVERS: See Broccoli section. PACKET: 2 g (about 625 seeds) sows 55' direct seeded or 230' as transplants. MUSTARD GREENS (Brassica juncea) CULTURE: This cool weather nutritious crop shares cultural requirements with members of the cabbage family. (See Cabbage section.) Direct sow 1/4" deep in spring and late summer/early fall. Thin to 8" apart in rows 18" apart. Keep well watered. SEED SAVERS: Isolate from mustard and Chinese cabbage a minimum of 600' to 1/8 mile for home use. For pure seed isolate varieties by 1/4 to 1/2 mile. PACKET: 2 g (1050 seeds) sows 90'. KALE (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) CULTURE: Kale is a member of the cabbage family, and has similar cultural requirements to collards and cabbage. (See Collards section). Kale is best grown as a spring, fall, or winter vegetable. Flavor is enhanced by frosts and cool temperatures. Kale is best when cooked. PACKET: 2 g (about 625 seeds) sows 55' direct seeded or 230' as transplants. SWISS CHARD (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) A few plants of swiss chard will provide a large supply of greens throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Can withstand light frosts and should be planted from early to late spring or again in the fall. CULTURE: Sow seeds 1/2 to 3/4" deep and thin to 4" apart. HARVEST: Clip off leaves near the base of the plant. PREPARATION: Excellent when stir-fried, or used in creamed soups or quiche. Freezes well. SOLAR GREENHOUSE NOTES: Swiss chard is an ideal plant for solar greenhouses, where it may be grown as a perennial. SEED SAVERS: Isolate varieties by a minimum of 1/4 mile for home use. Will cross with beets. For pure seed isolate by 1/2 to 1 mile. PACKET: 4 g (about 200 seeds) sows 25'. SPINACH (Spinacea oleracea) CULTURE: Spinach does well with a combination of cool weather, short day lengths, high soil fertility, ample water, and neutral pH (6.5 to 7.5). Sprinkle some limestone in the row as you plant if you think the soil might be too acid. Temperatures above 60oF (16oC) for the first 6 weeks of growth may increase the tendency to bolt. Mulch the soil to reduce bolting by keeping the roots cool. Fall plantings give a more sustained harvest than spring plantings. Sow seed 1/2" deep directly into the garden as soon as the ground can be worked, and thin to stand 4 to 6" apart. Succession plantings can be made every two weeks. Some varieties tolerate 0oF and over-winter to produce excellent spring crops. SEED SAVERS: Grow only one variety or isolate by 1/4 mile for home use. For pure seed isolate by 1/2 to 1 mile. PACKET: 5 g (about 475 seeds) sows 60'. OTHER GREENS are also available, including Radiccio, Endive (Escarole), and Chicory.