Kale has a relatively fast growth rate and grows from seed to harvest in about three months.
Plant kale seeds about 1/2 inch deep, leaving at least 1 1/2 to 2 feet between each plant.
In most regions, gardeners can harvest kale in the summer by planting it at this time.
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It can also be planted in late summer roughly six to eight weeks before your first fall frost.
Kale takes roughly three months to reach maturity from seed, while cuttings will mature in about one month.
Tip
Cuttings are an inexpensive way to create new plants.
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Plant your kale in early spring if you plan to take cuttings in late summer.
Kale cuttings should be taken in about three months once the plant has become established.
Kale can grow indoors as long as you have adequate lighting.
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Be sure the kale isn’t too close to taller plants that will shade it.
Seeds should be planted around 1/2 inch deep.
No support structure is necessary.
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Heat can make the leaves wilt and lose their flavor.
The high nitrogen content provided by organic matter is crucial for healthy leaf growth.
The soil also should drain well.
‘Lacinato’ kaleAnna Yu/Getty Images
Water your kale plants regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
The optimal soil temperature for planting kale is 60 to 65 degrees.
All varieties prefer cool temperatures and will be sweetened by a touch of frost.
‘Redbor’ kalevalery_green/Getty Images
Hot weather turns kale bitter.
It will collapse if exposed to heavy frosts or snow.
Fertilizer
When planting, mix fertilizer into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil.
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Then, feed your kale throughout the growing season, following the instructions on yourfertilizer label.
Use compost or a high-nitrogen vegetable fertilizer.
Types of Kale
There are manykale varieties, and they’re all worth a try.
The curly-leaf varieties tend to hang on longer in cold weather.
But the flat-leaf types generally become established faster.
Their leaves are often large, crisp, crinkled, and deep green.
Their difference comes in their taste.
Kale is generally stronger, with a bitter and earthy flavor.
And chard is a much milder green.
Harvesting Kale
Expect to wait approximately two months for your kale plants to mature from seeds.
Check the days to maturity on your seed packet or plant label for more precise timing.
Spring-planted kale will begood for harvestingthroughout the summer months, but it’s especially tasty after a light frost.
Remove the older outer leaves, and allow the center of the plant to continue producing.
Kale will keep in the refrigerator, ideally in the crisper drawer, for about a week.
How to Grow Kale in Pots
Kale is easy to keep in pots.
Plus, container growth is ideal if you dont have garden space or the right soil conditions.
Select a pot with at least a 12-inch diameter.
It also should have ample drainage holes.
Use a quality potting mix; an organic mix made for growing vegetables is a good option.
For kale that is trying to bolt, pruning will not slow down this process.
it’s possible for you to eat the bolted leaves because they are less bitter than other bolted greens.
Kale does regrow after cutting, but it requires a specific propagation process.
To pick kale to keep it growing healthy, cuttings must be taken from the oldest leaves.
Kale can bedirect seededin the garden orstarted indoorsand transplanted into the garden.
Treat problems as soon as they arise.
After planting seeds, kale will be ready to harvest in about two months.
Kale.Cornell University Growing Guides.
