| Leafy Garden Greens Leafy garden greens are a valuable source of flavor and nutritional diversity that’s often missing in the Standard American Diet (SAD.) For many, leafy greens mean iceberg lettuce. Fortunately there is much more to choose from and enjoy. Leafy greens range from the tops of edible roots like turnips and beets, to plants used only for their leaves like kale and chard. In terms of edibility, leafy greens fall into two categories: Many leafy garden greens are available at grocery stores and farmer’s markets. If you have an urge to garden and don’t have a green thumb, you will be please to know that growing leafy greens is one of the easiest gardening projects you can undertake. Typically seeds are planted in well-drained soil, with full but indirect sun, about ¼ to ½ inch deep, kept well watered and weeded. Ideally, fall crops should be planted three months before the first expected frost. However, if you cover with plastic on freezing nights, you can extend the growing season much longer. Similarly, you can begin a spring crop long before freezing weather has passed if plants are covered on cold nights. Many greens suffer when hot weather arrives. Kale, mustard, and Swiss chard can survive summer if you know the tricks. While a garden of leafy greens can be only two crops (spring and fall), there are ways to grow leafy greens year around. This usually requires replanting and creatively creating favorable microclimates. About Home Gardening My garden of leafy greens had its start in mid February from three packets of mixed green seeds that included several types of lettuce and kale. By covering with a sheet of plastic, the plants survived the freezing nights and grew during the warm days. In about 30-45 days lettuce was ready to pick and continued to provide tasty fresh salads until the end of May. Fortunately, as the lettuce was fading from summer heat, cucumbers were producing and made a wonderful salad substitute for leafy greens. Alas, the end of garden cucumbers came in late August. The kale produced large leafs by May and was ready to pick again in July. A third harvest of kale now stands ready to pick just as fall planting time arrives. The ability of kale to grow back after each picking has been a pleasant surprise. A Health Pastime As the seasons pass, a garden of leafy greens can be a delightful diversion. There is an opportunity for pleasure and relaxation in planting, tending and eating the many types of flavorful and nutritious leafy garden greens. It’s an activity that takes me outside, offers a reprieve from stress of the day and hope for the effort given. If you don’t have a pet, you might find a garden similarly full of surprises, wonder and healthful rewards. If there is no suitable place in the yard, a few flower pots can create an enchanting mini garden. In case you didn’t know, fall is one of the best times to start a garden. For fall gardening advice visit AL.com and search for Bill Finch, You will find a list of gardening articles that are sure to peek your interest. As you will discover, a fall vegetable garden in Alabama can be an amazing culinary adventure. Research studies strongly suggest that eating vegetables is good for our health. While this is certainly not news, many continue to ignore the advice. For anyone still missing the importance of vegetables in their diet, read “The Benefits Of Vegetables.” Although most eat some vegetables, very few eat enough for good health and even fewer regularly eat dark green leafy vegetables. This lack of appreciation for the health benefits of dark green leafy vegetables is unfortunate. For a synopsis of their health benefits, read this overview from Dr. Lin Yang of the United Stated Department of Agriculture. Perhaps you need fall garden seeds? A handy source is C.T. Garvins Feed & Seed. They sell seeds in small quantities for home gardeners. For about one dollar you can buy a small packet (1/8th oz.) of seeds along with all the free advice you want. My fall garden was planted in two parts. The last part was planted one week ago. The most recent planting is already showing tiny leaves. It’s amazing to see the tiny leaves appear and fun to follow their progress. The best part is the delicious taste and nutritional advantage. There is no better way to make a salad until garden tomatoes are in season again. If you are apprehensive about gardening you may be encouraged to know you don’ t need a green thumb to grow garden greens. They practically grow themselves. I’d love to hear about your past gardening adventures. Or perhaps you are ready to try your first fall garden? Join me at an upcoming Saturday morning walk and let’s talk about home gardening for fun and health. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama Laughter is Good Medicine One day two heads of lettuce were walking down the street. As one stepped off the curb he was run over by a speeding car. The uninjured head of lettuce called 911 and helped his injured friend as best he could. The injured head of lettuce was taken to the hospital and rushed into surgery. After a long wait, the doctor appeared. He told the uninjured head of lettuce, "I have good news, and I have bad news. “The good news is that your friend is going to pull through. The bad news is that he will be a vegetable for the rest of his life." How We Eat is Also Important As the doctor entered the exam room she noticed the man had a banana stuck in one of his ears, twigs of parsley in the other ear, and a carrot in one nostril. The man says, "Doc, this is terrible. What's wrong with me?" The doctor replies, "Well, first of all, you need to eat more sensibly." |