I have an NFT system that I started with basil and bibb lettuce... the el-cheapo lowes lettuce seed bolted pretty easily (compared with a bolt tolerant variety), and I've just recently experimented with kale and swiss chard.
I have about 10-12 kale and 15 swiss chard plants right now (in an NFT system with 60 sites, but spacing will allow about 45 to be filled at once).
I can't use the chard quick enough - it grows much faster than the kale, and it regrows when the plant is completely hacked down to 1" or so of the base.
The kale will make huge (big as a piece of paper!) leaves, but it does take 4-6 weeks once in the NFT channels (they spend 2 weeks in germination/sprouting, 1-2 weeks in a nursery/low-nute flood channel first).
If I wanted to have fresh kale and chard for eating (we use it for juicing in the morning) for 2 consistently (using it 3-4 meals a week), I think 15-18 kale plants and 8-10 chard would do. Maybe even less on the chard - it grows like crazy.
Total floor space is about 9' x 7' in my basement.
Just started a new system for tomatoes.. can't help ya there - just planted last week.
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11-22-2013, 11:28 PM
Hybrid Mode
