How to grow Greens, Asian?
- Latin Family: Brassicaceae
- Latin Genus: Brassica
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Annual
There is a diverse group of vegetables which make up the category of Asian Greens, they come from different parts of the world. The greens tend to be leafy with dark green foliage and light colored stalks.
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Greens, Asian History
Asian Greens have their origins in the Mediterranean, southwestern and central Asia. The demand for greens grew in the U.S. as more Asians immigrated. With strong Asian traditions in farming and the desire for native dishes, a demand for these greens was born. Seed companies started to bring seeds in from oversees to meet the demand. Today Asian Greens are available in most areas of the U.S. and they are growing in popularity as people understand how they are used in cooking.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.3 - 6.5
Greens prefer a rich, moist, well drained soil with lots of nitrogen.
How to care for Greens, Asian?
Greens do not do well in hot weather, as it causes excessive transpiration from the large leaves. They really need cool weather and short days to mature satisfactorily. This means that they do best when planted early (to mature before mid-summer), or late (to mature in the fall).
Water
Greens need a regular water supply to grow well, so keep the soil evenly moist.
Fertilizer
Compost and aged manure are recommended to be dug into the soil. They prefer heavy soil with lots of organic matter to retain moisture and lots of available nutrients.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 3 - 4 Years
Germination Percentage: 75.0
Saving seed for most of these species is quite easy, in fact they pretty much do it automatically unless you stop them. Many can cross-pollinate with other Asian Greens (and maybe other Brassicas), so you should have only one kind flowering at a time. Save the seed from at least 6 plants to ensure some genetic variability.
Light
Part shade
Full sun or partial shade in warm climates. Greens are notorious for bolting in warm weather so keep them protected.
Conditions:Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Full sun.
Conditions:Cold, Cool
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Store well protected in a plastic bag, laying horizontal is best.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-14 days
Problems
Greens, Asian Types
- Kale
- Mixed Asian Greens
The best way to grow mixes is in a small space is to grow the plants so closely together that they produce single leaves instead of hearted plants. The individual leaves are then cut as they reach suitable size. Rather than going out and harvesting an individual heads or large leaves, you go out with a basket a few minutes before dining and graze along the mix greens and gathering individual leaves.
Pests
- Deer
- Gophers
- Groundhog
- Slugs and snails
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
- Birds
- Cabbage Root Maggot
- Cabbageworms
- Flea Beetle
- Thrips
Diseases
- Wirestem
- Clubroot
- Fusarium Wilt
- Blackleg, Aerial Stem Rot
- Damping Off
- Downy Mildew
Take a look at Maggies Smart Garden, its vegetable garden Layout, Plants in her Garden, Weekly To Dos and her Garden Journal.
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