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Greens are the leaves and stems of young plants which can be boiled or steamed....... Custom Search 
Greens are the leaves and leaf stems of immature plants, which in their young tender state can be boiled, sauted or steamed or quite often eaten raw for food. All the plants referred to here as greens are hardy cool weather vegetables which are adaptable to fall and winter weather conditions in the entire South and in the more temperate parts of the North. Their growing season may be extended more widely in the north by growing them under some protection such as mulching or frames. A quick guide to companion planting Belgium Endive aka " Witloof"
Belgium Endive or "Witloof" Chicory is grown for both its roots and its tops. It is a hardy plant and will stand up to to heat or cold. It does however; need a deep, rich, loamy soil without a lot of organic matter. The tops are sometimes harvested while young, but usually the roots are lifted in autumn and placed in a box or a bed of moist sand in a warm location such as a root cellar for forcing. They are covered with a few inches of sand to keep light off the plant so it will blanch. Under this covering, the leaves form a solid white head known on the market as a Witloof or Belgium endive.Growing chicory is simple. Sow the seeds in spring or early summer in rows about 18 in. apart. Later, thin the plants to 6 - 8 in. apart in the rows. If sown too early, the plants will shoot to seed and are worthless for forcing. This kind is known as Witloof and is most generally used.
Chard or Swiss Chard
Chard is a variety of the beet family that has been developed for its green tops instead of its roots. Crop after crop of the outer leaves may be harvested without harming the plant. Only one planting is necessary, and a row of 30 to 40 ft. long will supply a family for the entire summer. Chard needs to be thinned to least 6 in. apart in the row and also needs a rich, mellow soil, and is sensitive to soil acidity.
Collards
Collards are grown and used just like cabbage. Due to the fact that they withstand heat better than other members of the cabbage group, they are well liked in the south for both summer and winter use. Collards do not form a head, but form a large rosette of leaves which may be blanched by tying together.
KaleKale is a member of the cabbage family. It is resistant to heat and may be grown in the summer months; however, its real merit is that it is a cool weather green vegetable. Sow in rows 18 to 24 inches apart and later thin the plants in the row to about a foot apart. Kale may be harvested by cutting the entire plant or taking the larger leaves when they are young.Old kale is tough and stringy. Mustard GreensMustard grows well in almost any good soil. As the plants require but a short time to reach its proper maturity for use, frequent plantings are recommended. Sow seeds as early as possible in the spring or for late use, plant in September or October. Indian Mustard with it's curly and frilled leaves is the most popular variety.
Spinach
Spinach is a hearty cool weather plant that will withstand winter conditions in most of the South. In most of the North, spinach is primarily an early spring-late fall crop but in areas where summer temperatures are mild it may be grown continuously from early spring until late fall. It should be emphasized that the growth of spinach is possible only where more moderate temperatures prevail. Spinach will grow on almost any well drained, fertile topsoil where sufficient moisture is available. It is very sensitive to acid soil. If your soil test shows acidity, apply lime to that part of the garden used for spinach regardless of the treatment given to the rest of the area. Utilize a soil testing kit to determine the PH of the soil.
New Zealand SpinachNew Zealand spinach is not related to common spinach although it is often substituted for spinach because it tastes very much like regular spinach. It is a large plant, with thick succulent leaves and stems and grows with branching, spreading habit to a height of two or more feet. It thrives in hot weather and is grown as a substitute in seasons when ordinary spinach cannot withstand heat. New Zealand spinach thrives on soil suitable for common spinach. Turnip GreensTurnips are usually grown for their roots, but are also planted to for the tops. There are some varieties that do not produce roots and are grown for their tops only. As a rule, sow turnips that are to be used for greens thickly and then thin them, leaving all but the greens to develop as root crops. A warm weather crop, turnip greens are specially adapted to winter and early spring conditions in the South. To view a chart which outline optimum planting temperatures and the number of days for your seeds to germinate, click here.
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