In the Garden

April 2025

Check out the day-to-day status of the garden operations

Spinach

Bloomsdale Spinach - Botanical Interests

Popeye's favorite power inducing snack is here and doing well. We've had a few days above 80 degrees, so I hope it doesn't bolt before I get a good harvest. The weather is supposed to cool down for a while, which should help these greens to thrive. If you haven't already started spinach seedlings (as of 4/6) it's probably best to buy some seedlings from your local farmer's market. If you have unused seeds, they make great microgreens and can be grown under indoor lighting during summer months.

Collard Greens

Georgia Southern Creole - Botanical Interests

Collard greens are a southern staple and great crop to grow in the early spring. These can tolerate the heat a little bit more, so it's not too late to get your collard greens started. I'd suggest direct sowing outside in containers at this point in the game. But they are prone to pests, especially the "cabbage white butterflies". They lay their eggs on the leaves and the larvae can devastate a crop. With some TLC you can harvest these for recipes in slow cookers, soups, stews, and all sorts of dishes.

Kale

Dwarf Blue Curled Vates - Burpee

Collard green's flashier sibling comes in with a little more of a tender flavor. These curly varieties can be eaten raw, air fried like crispy chips, or sauteed as a nice green addition to almost any dish. Interesting fact: until 2012, Pizza Hut (yes, the Hut of 1900's nostalgia) was the largest purchaser of curly kale in the US... Which they used to decorate their salad bar! Yes, Pizza Hut and Kale, an unlikely marriage for sure. Before it was a popular green for salads and smoothies, it was a mere garnish. #themoreyouknow

Lettuce

Paris Island (Romaine?) - Ferry Morse

I've grown this variety in a couple of previous seasons, but the name of the variety keeps changing. The hearts these plants produce make a fresh salad that will compete with what you could get from a grocery store. Harvesting the plants roots and all fresh from the garden helps to add shelf life in your refrigerator. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly, and several times before storing in the fridge. I think this is technically a Romaine variety, but that name seems to be disappearing from these labels... I wonder why?