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Posted by martingodliman (U13761957) on Sunday, 27th March 2011
Because when I grew a few plants last year I determined to have more this year so I sowed some today (it said now on the back of the seed packet, Sarah Raven) and just because I saw some I bought a strip of seedlings from the GC.....a bit too early to put them do you think ?
Cavalo Nero's an autumn-winter crop here in Italy. Needs cold weather to thrive. I plant in September-October.
I checked my packet from last year (Nero di Toscana, but I think it's the same plant), and it says sow outdoors late April to July and harvest September to January. I obviously paid no attention to the instructions as I started mine off in the cold greenhouse in early April and planted it out in the last week in May. I'm in the Midlands.
I sowed last years in the spring and only just took out the plants last week they were just about to flower, and I'm sure I read somewhere that all those little leaves and flower buds are just as edible as the big leaves though I never tried them.
I took then out to make space and get ready for the new season, they are obviously so versatile one can do either sow autumn or spring. I Googled it and got both bit's of advice, naturally I've sowed the new crop in a different bed.
I know conventional wisdom says they are better tasting after the frosts but surely they can't' actualy thrive growing in very cold weather but just survive it very well whilst waiting for the weather to warm up and complete it's life cycle and flower.
PS I'm in London.
The severe frosts killed every single one of my brassicas this year. At first I thought they were OK, as the leaves looked fine, but the frosts had damaged the thick main stem of the plants, turning it to mush. Normally, most will survive the winter to flower in the spring.
You would be surprised at how early in the season kale starts to grow again after you've been picking the leaves throughout the coldest part.
You are right, the flowers and new leaves are edible. In fact more than edible, they are delicious! The only thing I found was that after the first few pickings a little beetle got into the flower buds and I didn't fancy them after that!
I think they have a slightly nutty flavour compared to other brassicas, I like them all to some degree except of course brussel sprouts they ought to be illegal !!!!!!
With you on brussel sprouts.
Cavalo Nero needs serious cold to sharpen up its unique flavour. It will grow in warmer weather but without the real flavour. A bit like parsnips need frost to be at their best.
And I always experienced Italy as a warm and sunny place !....except near the Alps I suppose.
Winter's warmer here the further south you go. Here in central Italy - Tuscany - we drop below freezing in winter. And when it's - 5C and the tramontana blows up to 50kmh the wind chill is terrifying!
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by martingodliman (U13761957) on Monday, 28th March 2011
Brrrrrrr I believe you !!
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