Kale is a hardy biennial plant in the cabbage family that can provide you with nutrient-rich leaves for an entire growing season.
It is a simple vegetable to grow if given enough sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Why You Should Consider Growing It
Kale can be eaten raw in salads, added to smoothies or sauces, and cooked like spinach. It contains various minerals that many people lack in their diets. It’s a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and calcium, a mineral essential for bone health and cell functions.
Kale also has gorgeous foliage in a range of green shades. Hybridized ornamental kale features purple, pink, or white leaves that closely resemble flowers. However, because these types of kale are mainly cultivated as ornamental plants, they do not taste as good as regular kale.
When To Plant It
Sow seeds inside or outside 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost or as soon as the soil can be worked. After being started indoors, kale seedlings are frequently transplanted into the garden when they are 4 to 6 weeks old.
Kale develops sweeter leaves when they are left to mature in cold temperatures. For this reason, fall is the best time to grow kale in locations where winter temperatures do not fall below 20ºF.
Plant kale in the early spring for summer to early fall harvest in locations with cool summers. For areas with warm summers, kale should be sown in late summer for harvest in late fall or winter. After it has developed many leaves, you can begin picking the bottom leaves for consumption.
General Care
Water Needs
Kale requires consistent moisture, needing about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Ensure your plants are covered in a thick layer of mulch to help with moisture retention to keep the crop thriving and prevent the development of tough leaves.
Amount of Sun
Kale grows best in full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade. The plants that receive less than six hours of sunlight each day won’t grow as stocky and leafy. However, it is important to note that extreme heat will make the leaves wilt and change the flavor, so ensure the plant gets just enough sunlight throughout the day.
Fertilization
Kale needs moderate amounts of fertilizer rich in potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. To enhance crop yield, feed plants frequently with continuous-release plant food. Add aged compost rich in nutrients to planting beds before planting, and then add more every six weeks.
Other Maintenance
Kale can be pruned anytime, but most gardeners only do it when leaf production declines. Rather than plucking the whole plant and starting over, the kale plants can be trimmed to grow fresh and new foliage.
To foster new growth, cut the stems above the developing point, just below the stem’s connection to the larger leaves. Leave the smaller ones to allow the plant to continue producing energy for new growth.
