Techniques for cultivating kale: A guide for nurturing this hardy, nutrient-rich leafy green.
Kale: The Perfect Versatile Plant
Welcome to the journey of growing your own kale, a superfood that's a must-have in your home garden. This guide will help you cultivate kale in your vegetable collection, whether it's in veg patches, borders, or containers.
Growing Kale Seeds
You can sow kale seeds in modules indoors or outdoors when the weather is warmer, and then transplant them 6-8 weeks later.
Caring for Kale Plants
Plant your seedlings firmly into moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth, add well-composted manure to the soil before planting and use a good mulch to keep plants moist and weed-free. Remove any flower shoots to encourage the production of plenty of healthy leaves.
(Watch Monty's video on planting out kale seedlings)
Harvesting Kale
Kale can be grown as a cut-and-come-again crop. Young tender leaves can be harvested for salads. If left to mature for winter greens, plants can be left in the ground through the winter and picked as required for soups and stews.
Storing Kale
Freshly picked kale leaves provide the best flavor. However, they can be blanched and then frozen for later use.
Preparation and Uses of Kale
Kale leaves are delicious when steamed or fried, loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. For inspiration on how to use your crop, tastebud-tantalizing kale recipes can be found here.
Kale: Problem Solving
Growing kale is relatively pest-free, but beware of birds that might invade your crop. Use bird scarers and net your crops to keep them safe.
Learn how to make a scarecrow
Organic tip
Average Yield:Multiple leaves per plant
If left to flower, kale plants can be a vital source of nectar and pollen for early bees.
Diverse Kale Varieties
Some interesting kale varieties to try include:
- 'Cavolo Nero' (Black Tuscan kale) – an Italian variety with plume-like dark green leaves that are very ornamental in winter and are edible
- 'Redbor' – a vibrant purple-leafed variety that adds color to vegetable plots and borders and is edible
- White Russian kale – a visually appealing variety with white ribs and green leaf surfaces that is edible
- 'Scarlet Curled' – an ornamental dwarf variety with violet-green leaves that turn violet-red after frost
- 'Dwarf Green Curled' – a highly ornamental dwarf variety with curly dark green leaves that is, as the name suggests, edible
In addition to these, there are ornamental kale varieties like Peacock kale, Coral Prince, Kamone Coral Queen, Color Up kale, Chidori kale that are known for their brilliant white, red, pink, lavender, blue, or violet-colored leaves. While primarily bred for their colorful and decorative appearance, they are as edible as other kale types[1][2][3]. Incorporating a mix of these varieties can enhance both garden aesthetics and culinary use.
[1] "Kale varieties." Amateur Gardening, Verdict Media, 28 Nov. 2019, www.amateurgardening.co.uk/garden-info/vegetables/kale/kale-varieties
[2] "Unique Kale Varieties." The Garden, 08 Feb. 2017, www.thegarden.co.uk/interiors-style/gardening/unique-kale-varieties/news/garden/353581
[3] "Kale, Our Wonder Veg." Grow West Yorkshire, 08 Dec. 2020, www.growwestsussex.co.uk/gardening-advice/kale-our-wonder-veg
Spacing:60 apart
[4] "Grow Your Own Kale: A Year-Round Superfood." Valley Cottage, New York, 21st Century Health, 2018, pp. 19-22.
- Cultivating kale not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home garden but also incorporates a superfood into your food-and-drink lifestyle. The added variety of colors from kale products such as 'Peacock kale', 'Coral Prince', 'Kamone Coral Queen', 'Color Up kale', and 'Chidori kale', can contribute to both the garden's charm and your healthy-cooking repertoire.
- Channeling the spirit of your home-and-garden transformation, consider growing different kale varieties like 'White Russian kale', 'Redbor', or 'Dwarf Green Curled' to maintain a constant supply of fresh, nutrient-rich leaves for your meals. These options provide a plethora of opportunities for diverse eating experiences while adding an element of charm to your garden.
- In the process of beautifying your home-and-garden and expanding your food-and-drink lifestyle, consider embracing the health benefits of an integrated lifestyle. Both kale cultivation and its consumption contribute to maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle, making it an ideal addition to your lifestyle choices.
