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Post by oliverman on Feb 21, 2015 21:05:11 GMT -5
Just checked the freezer for chard to make a quiche. Found none, but there was some kale. Made a fabulous dinner. Most of the time I use kale raw in salads.
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Post by gakaren on Feb 21, 2015 23:52:43 GMT -5
Thank you NC! That has been my problem then. I've planted them in the spring, usually early, but they would only grow so big and then quit...that must be when the heat kicked in! I've had a terrible time with spinach too. I've tried planting it at all different times of the year and it just won't grow for me. This last fall's planting has gotten the biggest ever, about 1 1/2"...not really big enough to eat. I'm leaving it to see if it will grow more when we warm up a bit.
Alan, what variety of Kale was it that you found was mild? I haven't grown any for a LONG time...like back in the 70's, it was that bad for me then but a newer variety might be ok...I'm willing to try anyway.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 22, 2015 0:09:24 GMT -5
I grow the Red Russian kale. (an heirloom) It is mild and tender (even the big leaves). I plant it in the spring and it continues to produce all summer. It gets sweeter after a first frost and the color gets deeper. But the summer kale is tasty too. I usually plant seed in the spring and if I'm on it, again in late summer for a fall crop.
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canadiyank
Blooming
Central WA, Zone 6B
Posts: 125
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Post by canadiyank on Feb 22, 2015 0:23:04 GMT -5
I had a few monster chard that I pulled out last fall. Actually, had to get hubby to pull them b/c the things were beasts. Noticed yesterday that it is regrowing in the compost heap. Ha ha! Has a new leaf about 2 inches high.
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Post by James on Feb 22, 2015 1:04:15 GMT -5
I grow chard. It sells at the Farmer's Market. I will also eat a bit of it, but prefer spinach. The leaves on chard get quite large.
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Post by Mumsey on Feb 22, 2015 4:30:21 GMT -5
I have the same problem with spinach here, it bolts very quickly once temps warm up, then it's gone. I tried Perpetual Spinach for the first time last year and will grow it again. It acts like chard, does not bolt when temps get high. I can't say it's a true spinach taste, but close. The leaves are thicker, like chard. Check it out here: www.rareseeds.com/perpetual-spinach/
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Post by armjr on Feb 22, 2015 7:43:41 GMT -5
Karen, I don't know what variety it was. It was some that my DIL got at the grocery store. I'd know it if I saw it. The kind I grew has the curly top on it.
Alan
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Post by armjr on Feb 22, 2015 7:48:47 GMT -5
This looks like what I grew. These two look like what DIL bought. Alan
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Post by oliverman on Feb 22, 2015 9:30:10 GMT -5
Top one looks like dwarf blue curled, middle I am not sure. Bottom is Red Russian. I haven't noticed much difference in flavor between varieties, but the Red Russian stays much more tender in my experience.
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 22, 2015 12:40:21 GMT -5
And the middle one looks like Italian Lacinato (aka "Dinosaur" kale), which is my favorite!
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Post by OregonRed on Feb 22, 2015 15:04:34 GMT -5
from my experience, dinosaur kale is stronger in flavor and stronger in fiber content, taste like strong broccoli? I grow it and steam it, and use it in soups and stews; I also like it as a micro green and keep a 'bulk' pak of seeds around just for that.
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Post by ncgarden on Feb 22, 2015 15:09:39 GMT -5
Alan - that made me laugh! I am secretly relieved at the end of the garden season when bugs start to kill off some of my plants so i don't have the guilt associated with not being able to eat one more cucumber....
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 23, 2015 9:00:39 GMT -5
from my experience, dinosaur kale is stronger in flavor and stronger in fiber content, taste like strong broccoli? I grow it and steam it, and use it in soups and stews; I also like it as a micro green and keep a 'bulk' pak of seeds around just for that.
I don't find it "stronger", but it definitely has a more "kaley" (is that a word? Lol!) taste to me instead of the somewhat "grassier" flavor I find in curly & flat-leaf red types.
Has anyone tried any of the "Wild Kale" blends? Since kale started getting such heavy press, "wild" kale variety seed mixes seem to be popping up quite a bit.
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Post by davidjp on Feb 23, 2015 9:14:15 GMT -5
I have the same problem with spinach here, it bolts very quickly once temps warm up, then it's gone. I tried Perpetual Spinach for the first time last year and will grow it again. It acts like chard, does not bolt when temps get high. I can't say it's a true spinach taste, but close. The leaves are thicker, like chard. Check it out here: www.rareseeds.com/perpetual-spinach/Me too, I love the perpetual spinach, cooked its pretty close to spinach in taste and does well in the garden. I think to all intents and purposes its a variety of chard. A must have in my opinion. Thanks for reminding me, I've yet to put some out this year.
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