Picking kale is a cinch — simply break off leaves. Kale is a cool-season crop which means it likes to grow in cooler weather with ample moisture. Kale Pests and Diseases. Flat Leaf Kales. It’s a hardy crop that will survive the worst of winter weather, giving you fresh greens in the crucial hungry gap months from February to April. Kale is the hardy, cool-season green that’s perfect for growing as the temperature drops. Where to Grow Kale. Container Growing Kale. Start seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Thus, I thought It may be helpful to go over a couple of the basics for those of you who are not familiar (or who want a refresher! Transplant the young plants to their growing position when plants have five or six true leaves, setting the lowest leaves at ground level. Many specialty growers are planting kale in wide beds only 1/2 to 12 inches apart and harvesting kale small as salad greens. Howdy gardeners! Kale is a member of the cabbage family (Acephala Group) and is a biennial plant. For those that require a lighter side to kale’s taste, younger leaves will suffice. Flat leaf kale is different from curly leaf kale, and is much easier to chop, making it the best choice for salads or adding to soups and stews. Fertilizer helps the kale grow strong and robust and keeps it producing healthy, sweet leaves. Learn more about growing flowering kale in this article so you can enjoy this colorful plant. Ornamental kale plants can make a wonderful red, pink, purple, or white show in the cool season garden with very minimal care. It produces early, but is biennial, and can survive for two growing seasons. Most of the kale would be ready for harvest in 1 ½ to 2 ½ months after the completion of the plantation. Kale tends to be a thirsty plant and appreciates at least an inch of water a week, particularly during the hottest part of the growing season. Kale is a cool-season crop that should be planted in early spring or late fall. Cover the seeds over and keep the bed moist to aid germination, which should take about 10 days. Follow these guidelines to easily grow kale organically: Plant kale in compost rich soil, and mulch with more compost throughout the growing season. Here are the steps to grow kale in containers the right way. This means it doesn’t flower until its second season of growing, so you don’t have to worry about your plants bolting and the leaves losing flavor. Frost tolerant Growing kale isn’t too demanding. If the plant is heat- or water-stressed, it may become tough to eat once harvested. In other areas of the United States, you can grow kale during the cool months of the fall, spring, … Pete gives some tips on growing kale. Move kale grown in containers into the cool shade when the weather warms to extend the season. Well before May, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a new kale crop started. Grow kale in containers like a pro so you'll have a steady supply of this highly nutritious green leafy vegetable all year round. Get Growing; Veg Directory; Kale; Kale Why Grow It? It may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but kale can be a delicious crop and it’s incredibly good for you. As a rule, to attain a maximum kale harvest, timing, and weather condition matters when harvesting, it depends on when you plant the kale and what the weather in your area says. Seedlings are planted from autumn to spring to keep a good supply of greens growing through the winter and spring growing season. In this growing guide we will talk about the basics of growing kale. Care and maintenance of kale. When you plan your cool season vegetable garden, you’ll certainly want to include kale, the versatile star of many a plant-based meal – from salads and smoothies to stir fries and stews.. All kale is typically hardy in the lowland Maritime Northwest with no or minimal protection. Use a combination of grass clippings, clean straw and a good seaweed mulch or treatment to help improve your yield. Kale is less prone to pests and disease than many of its cousins. After all chance of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings into the ground. Kale will also benefit from regular applications of liquid fertiliser during the growing season. In England, close plantings of kale have been shown to prevent aphid infestations through visual masking. Harvesting Your kale is ready to harvest around two months, or when the … ): aphids, poor care, and improper harvesting, the last of which inspired the sign pictured below. I’ve noticed three things going on regarding Kale in the garden this month (note: these do not apply to all plots! Brassicas (Cabbage family) Soil. The kale growing season starts in April to early May. Full sun. Although the legumes can be planted if you are willing to take a lesser harvest or are using them as a cover (green manure) crop. 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