Friday, April 2, 2010

Seeds of Purple Kosaitai for Sale

In some ways reminiscent of a lavender colored broccoli-raab, this Chinese brassica makes oodles of very tender, mild-flavored leaves delicious raw or cooked all winter long here in central Florida, then as spring approaches it produces lavender-green bud clusters much like petite broccoli heads, also good raw or cooked. Like all brassicas in central Florida, it thrives in full sun in rich, damp soil that is just slightly acidic (vs. the very acidic so common here so sprinkle dolomite on heavily acid soil). Sow the seeds in Florida in succession from October through February for a steady supply of this rare Asian member of the Crucifer family. I use the lavender-purple leaves in salads and stir fry, and as an attractive plate garnish. Loves cold weather, very frost hardy. Northern gardeners should sow the seeds in spring when they would plant broccoli and other cole crops. You will get ½ teaspoon of seeds (approx. 300 seeds) by mailing me $3 plus a SASE at:

John Starnes 3212 West Paxton Avenue Tampa FL 33611

Thanks and happy gardening! John

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