A traditional Dutch heirloom, Grote Noord Hollandse produces vitamin-rich, spoon-shaped leaves from late autumn into winter. You can harvest them fresh, or blanch them under a pot or box for a few days to mellow the flavour. Use in hearty winter salads or cook like spring greens. While it's frost hardy, this variety does better with a bit of cover—try an open-ended cloche, or grow it in a cold frame or greenhouse. It also responds well to early sowings for a spring crop.
Sow: July to October (or in spring), can be started in modules but very successful sown in situ - in a moistened seed drill: seed depth 5mm. Slower to germinate in warmer weather. Generally trouble free, protect from winter wet with open-ended cloches, or grow in a coldframe or unheated greenhouse - keeping them well ventilated.
Grow: gradually thin seedlings to 10-15cm apart, picking the young leaves as baby salad leaves. Or leave & cut whole plant after about 12 weeks (the plant will resprout, usually only once) or pick individual leaves.
Enjoy: mild flavour, great for winter salad, flowers are also edible. They can be cooked - lightly steam (think spinach & spring greens for cooking and use).
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