Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 03/25/2011 by pointydog - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I have been growing these for the past 3 years. The first year I lost the crop. The last 2 years have been great. I was able to cut and come again (kale-like leaves early, leaves and flower heads after August) from June through November on plants sown in March. After November the growth slows too much for repeated cutting. I had a good fall crop from sowing in early August. I harvested the entire plants through the late fall and early winter. They were sweeter and tastier than the spring and summer cuttings. Keeping quality in the root cellar is not impressive, whether hung or heeled in to damp sand. They wilt quickly and have to be used in the first 2 or 3 weeks. BTW- these plants are quite tall, most of mine were over a yard tall before they made buds, even the ones I didn\\\'t cut until they made buds. The flowers look more like broccoli raab but are sweet like the hybrids Apollo and Happy Rich (broccolini types). The heads are small. The attractive violet leaf margins and buds all become green when cooked, so add them to raw salads if the color is what appeals to you. They are variable, some are very purple and others are more grey but all have the same great taste and attractive appearance. These would be a nice choice for the back of the flower border or other places where a tall and striking edible plant would be appropriate.

2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.