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This year we have switched from Florida Broadleaf mustard to Savanna Hybrid. I planted six rows in the middle of July just to see if it could take the heat as advertised. It did, with flying colors, and is now ready for harvest. We cooked-up a batch last night - better than the Florida. I harvested some this afternoon to go to market tomorrow, but I'm having a little trouble packing it.
I've always harvested the whole plant while still young and tender, washed them and stacked them vertically, and tightly, in a laundry basket. But that won't work with this variety. The leaf stems are very crisp, actually "brittle", and break with a mere touch . So, I obviously have to pull individual leaves and tie them in bunches like we used to do - but that won't work either because the stems break so easily. They break when I put the rubber band on.
What I finally did was break the stem off high, where the leaf starts, washed them and simpy tossed them in the baskets. I guess people will have to take the loose leaves by handfuls and put them in their bag. Trouble is, I can't get much in a basket - the leaves are also very crisp and I'm afraid I'll break them all up and ruin them if I pack them down tight in the basket.
It's great mustard and the crispiness is a virtue. I just need to find a system for handling it since my old one won't work with this. Any advice will be appreciated.
Jack
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