A leafy brassica with a long harvest period; take older leaves from below and leave the center growing.
EdibleCool-season crop
Growing spaceVegetable bedClimate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9bCrop familyBrassicaceae (mustard)Life cycleAnnual cropPhoenix planting windowSeptember–February; fall establishment is easiest.How to plantDirect sow seed or transplant.Plant spacing12–18 inFrostTolerates light frost once established; cover during a hard freeze.Time to harvestAbout 80 days for mature leavesSuccessionOne planting provides repeated leaf harvests.Special categoriesEDIBLETypical harvestPick outer leaves through winter.
Before you plant
These conditions determine whether it will thrive.
Cold hardinessHardy here
One of the most cold-hardy greens. No cover needed in a normal Phoenix winter.
Leaves and wood: damaged below 20°FHeat toleranceShade from late-afternoon sun
Takes more heat than most cabbage-family crops, but leaves toughen and bolting starts once days hit the 90s, usually by May.
