Leafy Greens

Go Green: Growing and Cooking Leafy Greens

A large part of the average American’s diet is comprised of processed foods. While stopping by a local drive-thru and getting a meal may be fast and convenient, it is bad for your health. This is why you need to work on incorporating healthier foods into your daily diet. One of the best foods you can consume on a regular basis is leafy greens. To ensure the greens you consume are grown responsibly and without the help of harmful chemicals, why not try growing them on your own? Here are some things you need to consider when trying to grow and cook leafy greens on your own.

Getting Your Soil Ready

Before you can plant your leafy greens, you need to prepare your soil. The most important thing is to make sure your soil is dry enough for planting. In areas with brutal winters, soil can remain extremely wet and soupy for months after a thaw. This is why you need to get outside and get your hands in the soil to assess its condition.

When assessing how wet your soil is, you also should consider the clay content. If there is a lot of clay in the soil around your residence, then adding a bit of sand to it is essential. You can also add compost and manure to soil with a high clay content to get it ready for planting.

Choosing the Right Time to Plant

When your soil is ready for planting, you need to choose the right time for this important task, which depends on the type of plants they are. There are a number of winter green crops, like mizuna, winter lettuce, and even spinach. If you prefer to plant in the spring, consider planting New Zealand spinach or Malabar.

Once you have planted your leafy greens, tending to your garden is crucial. Pulling weeds will be much easier with the right tools, like a hoe. With a bit of online research, you can figure out how to select a good one and the correct way to use your new garden tool.

Preparing and Cooking Your Beautiful Green Bounty

One of the best times of the year for garden enthusiasts is harvest. Once your leafy green plants reach full maturity, you get to pick them.

Before consuming, put the greens in a large bowl and wash them. Next, remove the stems and any wayward leaves.

Cutting the leafy greens into smaller pieces will make them both easier to cook and consume. Also, be aware that as you cook down a batch of greens they will shrink considerably.

Cooking with Leafy Greens

Cooked greens make a delicious side dish along with grains like rice and quinoa. Or try one of these recipes featuring your favorite greens:

Your Hard Work Will Pay Off

The time and energy you put into growing and cooking these greens will be worth it. Consuming more leafy greens will help you feel better and get vital nutrients in your system.

Guest author: Wendy Dessler