nitrates in greens
Jim and Jo at Five Springs Farm (fsfarm@mufn.org)
Sun, 15 Mar 1998 10:04:22 -0500
At the Midwest Organic Farmers Conference in Wisconsin last month we heard
some disturbing information about the build-up of nitrates in greens,
including lettuce, other salad greens and cooking greens (especially Swiss
chard). Specifically, we were advised that it is inappropriate to pick
lettuce and other greens in the morning (that is when we like to pick , in
the cool of the day) as nitrates can build up to serious levels over night;
exposure to 4-6 hours of sun dissipates the nitrate concentration.
Fall-grown greens are, according to the speaker, particularly vulnerable
because of reduced sunshine and shorter days. Furthermore,there is some
risk of
build up of nitrates if the greens are stored above 35 degrees or so for
any length of time, we were told.
After going to the "trouble" of growing these crops organically we do not
want to introduce toxins unintentionally. Any information on this issue
will be welcome!
Jo and Jim at Five Springs Farm
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