North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Hilborn.E@epamail.epa.gov]

I have been happy to harvest unprotected collard greens each winter despite temperatures here down to 10 degrees F.

In previous years, collard greens have been the only greens I have found provide harvestable material through those low temperatures; other leafy vegetables I have tried such as kale, mizuna, turnips have survived the winter, but the leaves are 'burned' to the ground during the most severe cold.

This year, I tried corn mache (var. 'Bistro'), and have been very pleased. The leaves have been healthy and harvestable without protection and the flavor is mild - to my taste delicious either raw or cooked. I am planting a spring crop today and will try this variety again next fall.

Betsy Hilborn

7a NC