In recent years kale has become popularly known as a super food. Well, I am here to tell you all about growing kale in your home garden.
Kale is a hardy cool-season green that is part of the cabbage family, along with broccoli, cauliflower and collards. It is easy to grow and rich in nutrients, especially vitamins A and C. As a cool-season crop, it grows best in the spring and fall. It tolerates fall frosts. In fact, a frost often makes kale taste sweeter. We have had kale plants survive winter in Iowa and start growing again early in the spring as the weather begins to warm.
Kale can be planted most any time, from early spring through summer. If planted late in the summer, kale can be harvested until the ground freezes in winter. Kale can be planted as seeds or as transplants. Seeds germinate rather quickly when planted 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in well-drained, light soil. After about two weeks of growth, the seedlings should be thinned to 8 to 12 inches apart. If doing transplants, start seeds indoors about four weeks before transplanting time. Remember, kale can be planted early spring as soon as the soil is workable.
Water regularly if it doesn't rain - most plants thrive on about 1 inch of rain per week. As with many other plants, be careful not to overwater, which may cause the roots to rot. The best quality kale results from fast growth without heat or moisture stress. If the plants are overheated or struggling to take up water, they will produce chemicals resulting in a pungent or bitter flavor.
The most common problem growing kale in my garden has been the pesky cabbage worm, which also likes to munch on kale and broccoli as well as cabbage. Hand picking seems to work as one method to control for those who don't like to use any kind of pesticides.
Kale is ready to harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Pick the lower leaves first, being sure not to pick the terminal bud, which is found on the top of the plant. It is this terminal bud that helps keep the plant productive. Kale will continue to grow well into the late fall. The season can even be extended by protecting kale plants with a row cover.
Kale can be stored as any other leafy green; put it in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. It should last about one week.
Wash well before using. I like to actually soak mine in mild salt water for 30 minutes or so to help insure the removal of any potential small cabbage worms or other insects.
Kale can be enjoyed cooked or uncooked - most of the same ways one enjoys spinach. Our family has especially enjoyed it in a variety of salads, soups, casseroles, as kale chips, or thrown into a smoothie for added nutrition. Always be sure to cut out the tough spine of the kale leaf, which is too tough to enjoy. If using in a salad, lightly massaging the kale with a bit of salt enhances both the appearance and flavor of kale. Kale also can be successfully frozen to be cooked in soups or casseroles throughout the winter months.
So, if you haven't already grown kale, plan to add it to your home garden. In fact, it is not too late to plant now for a fall harvest. Simply plant, grow and enjoy.
' For gardening questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hortline at (319) 447-0647.
The Gazette Lacinato kale (front), green kale (middle), and red kale (back) grow in rows in 2017 at Grinnell Heritage Farm in Grinnell. It is not too late to plant kale now for a fall harvest. The vegetable is easy to grow and rich in nutrients, including vitamins A and C.
FAQs
A gentle, balanced liquid fertilizer is your best bet here, as it's less likely to overwhelm the tender roots. As your kale progresses, it's time to adjust. Once you've harvested the first leaves, a single dose of a balanced granular fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 mix, should suffice.
Does kale grow well in Iowa? ›
There are a few steadfast vegetables that are hardy enough to withstand Iowa's cool, and fluctuating temperatures. When one day presents 80-degree weather and the next a chance of snow, here's are some of the best cool-weather vegetables to plant in your Iowa garden: Kale.
How often should I water kale? ›
Water Requirements
Water kale deeply and infrequently while trying to maintain even soil moisture. About one to two inches of water are required per week. Use drip irrigation if possible to conserve water. Apply mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds.
How long do kale plants last? ›
Kale is a superfood for your body and a super plant for your garden. Not only is it easy to grow, it's also a biennial, which means it can live for two years. The best part about kale is the more you harvest from the leaves, the more the plant grows!
Are coffee grounds good for kale plants? ›
According to a study from North Carolina State University, the ratio of fertilizer in used coffee grounds is: 3.1 - 0.3 - 0.3. This means it is pretty Nitrogen heavy. It's a great fertilizer to use around your leafy vegetables (like collards, kale, spinach, lettuce, and chard).
What is the best month to plant kale? ›
Plant Your Kale
It grows best in the spring and fall and can tolerate fall frosts. So the best time to plant is about 1 month before your last frost date in spring and 6 weeks before your first frost date in fall.
Where is the best place to plant kale? ›
In-ground gardens, raised beds, and containers are all excellent growing options. Space kale 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8.
Will kale come back next year? ›
A biennial (2-year) plant, kale produces leaves in the first year, and then, in the next year (or sometimes late in the first year), it will form a flower stalk. The stalk forms flowers and then seeds. Once the seeds mature, the plant dies.
Can kale get too much sun? ›
Kale, that leafy green powerhouse, has a preference for a mix of full sun and partial shade. It's like Goldilocks—not too much, not too little, but just right. Six hours of sunlight is the sweet spot when kale starts sprouting. Too much direct sun can lead to a sunburnt look, while too little can stunt its growth.
How deep soil for kale? ›
Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep. Thin seedlings or transplant kale 12-18 inches apart in the row with rows 2 feet apart. Plant out 4-5 weeks before the last frost. Kale tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer or after fall frosts occur.
How to make kale grow bigger? ›
Kale prefers rich, well-drained, firm soil, but will grow in most soil types and conditions. It likes sun, but will also tolerate light shade. Weed the ground thoroughly and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Then rake the soil level and firm it well.
Can you leave kale in the ground over winter? ›
Cold hardy and resilient, kale and collards are the most productive plants you can grow in your fall garden. Plants set out now will produce an abundant crop of autumn greens, stand through winter with modest protection, and then explode with new growth in early spring.
What helps kale grow? ›
Kale prefers rich, well-drained, firm soil, but will grow in most soil types and conditions. It likes sun, but will also tolerate light shade. Weed the ground thoroughly and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Then rake the soil level and firm it well.
How do you eat kale to get the most nutrients? ›
While raw kale may boast the highest nutrient content, the study found that steaming retained the most antioxidants and minerals, compared with other cooking methods ( 7 ).
What to use 10-10-10 fertilizer on? ›
10-10-10 is called an all-purpose fertilizer because it can be used on almost any type of outdoor plant, including vegetables, shrubs, trees, flowers, lawns, and houseplants. Generally, it can be applied to any plant that doesn't need one of the three macronutrients in higher amounts.
Does kale like high nitrogen? ›
Kale will grow in full sun to part shade. Amend the soil with a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost. Leafy vegetables require quick, continuous growth for best quality. They especially need nitrogen for good color and tenderness.
