market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Market Farming
List archive
- From: Aaron Brower <aaronbrower AT yahoo.com>
- To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale
- Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 18:46:31 -0800 (PST)
We can go weeks without our high temps hitting 32 so I can't always wait for a thaw for harvesting. Certain crops, such as kale, can definitely be harvested frozen and stored for a long while. Cut the stem of the kale, as you mentioned, not the individual leaves and store in the cooler as harvested. You will have no problem storing it for at least a month if the temps are 32-39 and the humidity is as high as possible. I've never stored it in water as that is not feasible at the scale I need. The kale does not turn to mush. What it will do is wilt if you don't have a high enough humidity or a cool enough temp, just like all leafy vegetables. I had believed it would turn to mush, as that is what conventional knowledge tells us, but out of necessity I harvested frozen kale and learned it was simply not true. Now I consider it standard practice to harvest it before any big snowfalls or before it gets too cold (single digits) as that can diminish its quality. I've done the same with frozen cabbage heads and stored them through the winter. Aaron N. Michigan |
From: Deb Taft <deb AT mobiusfields.com>;
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>;
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale
Sent: Fri, Dec 6, 2013 12:35:44 AM
I think it stays best with its stems in water but can't imagine it keeping for a month. Do be sure you wait for it to thaw before harvesting; otherwise it'll turn to mush right away.
If you want it to keep a couple more weeks, I'd leave it attached to the plant! Harvesting (even if you did it when the leaves had thawed out, like midday on a warmer day) and storing below freezing will, again, result in mush.
As long as you aren't counting on it enough to drag out the row cover, I'd just risk leaving it in the ground and harvest when you need it if it's still in good condition. I agree with Kurt; it likes being out there! Deb Mobius Fields On Thu, Dec 5, 2013 at 7:23 PM, <clearviewfarm AT bluefrog.com> wrote:
|
-
[Market-farming] harvesting kale,
Beth Spaugh, 12/05/2013
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale, clearviewfarm, 12/05/2013
-
Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale,
clearviewfarm, 12/05/2013
-
Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale,
Deb Taft, 12/05/2013
-
Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale,
Aaron Brower, 12/05/2013
- Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale, Deb Taft, 12/05/2013
-
Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale,
Aaron Brower, 12/05/2013
-
Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale,
Deb Taft, 12/05/2013
- Re: [Market-farming] harvesting kale, Pam Twin Oaks, 12/06/2013
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.