Gardening -

[NewWestGardener]

What is a perennial kale? I've never heard of it. Could u kindly provide a link with a description or photo? Tks.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by NarnianGarden

Never understood the difference between the English words 'kale' and 'collards'. Both are a part of the famous Brassica family and practically the same...

Perennial kale is also called tree collards! The leaves are flatter than most kales, and more substantial, but they don't turn silken when cooked the way collards do. It suffers during cold snaps (we had a couple 20F nights last year, and my old, woodier plants didn't survive, but my younger ones were fine), and is probably ok down to zone 8.

I googled and found this
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustaina...ial%20Kale.pdf
http://treecollards.blogspot.com/
http://richardsfarms.vpweb.com/Tree-...formation.html

and Annie's Annuals is selling it!
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst...sp?prodid=3600

[Keger]

Originally Posted by tlintx

I am slowly starting to compensate for some of our normally purchased produce, which is great. Fortunately, I can grow greens for salad year round here. Really looking forward to planting a lot more once it cools down!



A greenhouse!!! That's what I need! I'm voting for optimist, but honestly, I just like puttering around outside and feeding my family. So rewarding to serve a salad I personally grew!

You can grow lettuce indoors under grow lights. I have done that. Works pretty good actually.

[tekaha]

Originally Posted by habitat_gardener

Perennial kale is also called tree collards! The leaves are flatter than most kales, and more substantial, but they don't turn silken when cooked the way collards do. It suffers during cold snaps (we had a couple 20F nights last year, and my old, woodier plants didn't survive, but my younger ones were fine), and is probably ok down to zone 8.

I googled and found this
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustaina...ial%20Kale.pdf
http://treecollards.blogspot.com/
http://richardsfarms.vpweb.com/Tree-...formation.html

and Annie's Annuals is selling it!
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst...sp?prodid=3600

ok, now i'm looking all over the internets for someone selling tree collard seeds~

plants (cuttings, etc) can't be shipped to where i live. (hawai'i) boo.

[tekaha]

nevermind. just read that it can't be propagated from seed.

[habitat_gardener]

Originally Posted by tekaha

ok, now i'm looking all over the internets for someone selling tree collard seeds~
plants (cuttings, etc) can't be shipped to where i live. (hawai'i) boo.

I know tree collards are being grown in Hawaii -- see that first link I posted, or google
perennial kale hawaii
or
tree collards hawaii
to find some leads, or look around for permaculture groups.
I originally got mine from other people who shared their cuttings, and I've given away hundreds of cuttings myself.

[tekaha]

mahalo, habitat_gardner, for the search suggestions! i'll send out a query to the hawaii edible gardening FB group i'm in as well. if worse comes to worst, there's always craigslist.

i've also noticed that local nurseries and big box garden centers sell interesting seedlings randomly. okinawan spinach doesn't set seed but i was able to pick up some seedlings at home depot. i've also seen cholesterol spinach at a local nursery.

so it really is just a matter of keeping an eye out for tree kale/tree collards around there. thank you again!

[COMPOSTER]

Originally Posted by Deborah

I'm a caregiver for dementia patients. Over the years I have been slapped, pinched, bruised, punched, scratched, hair pulled, pushed down stairs, and shoved to the ground being kicked repeatedly.
The garden is my place of peace and healing, and worth every hour and every penny.

It is a fantastic, wonderful place to escape. The stress of daily life just seems to melt away the second I enter my garden area. Great exersise also.