prickly greens

Are collard greens prickly?

Answer: Collards don't generally have thorns. But it is certainly one of the members of the cabbage family. None of the descriptions of collards includes a mention of them having prickly leaves, which is what had us wondering.

Are mustard greens prickly?

Mustard greens are flowering right now, small flowers waving above big clumps of deep green leaves. They're just about everywhere you look, and they are delicious. ... The leaves are a little prickly as you pick them, covered in a layer of coarse hairs.

Can you eat prickly kale?

Does kale have thorns? Most gardeners would say no, yet this question occasionally pops up on gardening forums, often accompanied by photos showing prickly kale leaves. These sharp spines on kale leaves can be abrasive and they certainly don't seem very palatable.

Are turnip greens supposed to be prickly?

Turnip greens might not immediately strike you as being edible. At all. They're prickly, and tough, and a favorite of the caterpillars and flea beetles. ... The prickles will soften when the greens are cooked and they aren't noticeable, but the flavor remains decidedly bitter and the greens decidedly tough.

Can you eat collard greens with black spots?

Expert Response. Thank you for contacting Ask an Expert in regards to your kale and collards with black mold. I don't recommend eating them, particularly since it is in such a great amount. ... Small mold spots can be cut off FIRM fruits and vegetables with low moisture content.

Why do my collards have holes?

If small insects have been eating holes in your collard greens (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), they're most likely flea beetles, cabbageworms or cabbage loopers. ... All of these insects feed on the leaves of collards, but you can control them without the need for harmful pesticides.

Do you eat the stems of mustard greens?

Mustard greens can be eaten raw or cooked–steamed, sautéed, or simmered. ... Even cooked mustard greens will have a “bite”. Both the leaves and stalks of mustard greens can be eaten.

What is the best fertilizer for mustard greens?

Under good conditions, most of the plants should be up in 3 to 7 days. To have a continuous supply of fresh, tender mustard and turnip greens, make two or three plantings 10 days apart. Figure 4. Scatter 2 to 3 pounds of complete garden fertilizer such as 10-20-10 over each 100 square feet.

What can you not plant with mustard greens?

Plants to Avoid

Never plant mustard greens near sunflower, soybeans and dried beans as all of these plants can suffer from the same disease problems, such as downy mildew, white rust, leaf spots and mosaic virus. These plants can pass diseases back and forth between each other, infecting your entire crop.

What parts of kale are edible?

Using Kale

Kale leaves have thick fibrous stems. They stems are edible, so leave them in if you enjoy crunchy foods. Or you can take them out, if you are not used to eating lots of fiber, or if you want to make a more delicate dish. To strip out the stems, grasp a kale leaf with one hand by the stem.

Is Kale edible after it flowers?

Raabs are the tender flowering tops of the bolted Brassica genus, i.e., the cabbage family. But more important, these are flowers you can, and should, eat. You'll be glad you did. When the brassica vegetables bolt after the long winter, the flowers they produce are tender and delicious.

Is red Russian kale edible?

Of all of winter's hardy greens, none are more popular than the many members of the kale family, and dark green, red-stemmed Russian kale may well be the sweetest of all. The tips of the leaves are tender enough to be eaten raw, but they are infinitely improved by cooking.

Can you eat the stems of turnip greens?

Fibrous kale stems are no fun to eat. To remove them, hold onto the stem and run your other hand down the length, stripping the leaves right off. Also stem mustard greens, collard greens, and turnip greens. ... It's okay to leave the tender stems on spinach, too—just chop off any thick, woody parts.

When should I pick turnip greens?

Turnips can be pulled and eaten any time after they start growing really well but are completely mature and ready to harvest within six or eight weeks of planting. They can be stored for weeks or even months if harvested correctly.

What does turnip greens look like?

Fresh turnip greens should have firm, deep green leaves. Smaller leaves will be tenderer with a milder flavor. Turnip greens will keep fresh in the refrigerator.

What are the black spots on collard greens?

Alternaria leaf spot is caused by fungus Alternaria brassicae. The leaves of the infected crop (especially kales) have black or brown circular spots. With time, the spots enlarge and concentric rings appear on them. You can prevent this disease by planting certified seed or disease-free transplants.

What does rotten kale look like?

How to Tell If Kale Has Gone Bad. As kale ages, it will begin to lose moisture and wilt. The leaves will change from a rich dark color, to a pale greenish yellow, and eventually turn brown. After too long, the wilted leaves will become soggy and liquid will leak out.

Can you eat lettuce with black spots?

Brown or black spots on lettuce could also be caused by a process called russet spotting. ... However, if the brown or black spots on lettuce are accompanied by a strange smell or texture that makes you think the issue is not just russet spotting, it's best to toss out that lettuce rather than eating it.

What month do you plant collards?

When and Where to Plant

The collard is a cool-season crop that should be grown during early spring or fall. Direct seed midsummer or early spring. Set transplants out in early spring or late summer. The mature plant will withstand frosts and light to medium freezes.

How often should you water collard greens?

Space them 18 to 24 inches apart. After planting, water and fertilize. Collards like a nice, even supply of water. Water regularly, applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week if it doesn't rain enough to equal that amount.

What kind of bugs eat collard greens?

Pests on Collard Greens

Pests include aphids, cabbage worms and the harlequin bug. Aphids are usually small, brown bugs that gather on the underside of the plant's leaves. There are three types of cabbage worms. All are green, small and like to eat the plant's leaves.