Different Kale Varieties in the Garden
As part of the cabbage family, Kale is a more hardy, cool weather crop that typically grows best in the spring and the fall growing months. Which means growing kale in the summer is a benefit because most other vegetables cannot be planted during these months due to the harsh hot and dry temperatures. Travis explains that his favorite kale to grow in the vegetable garden is Toscano or sometimes referred to as Lacinato Kale. An Italian heirloom, Lacinato Kale is one of the most productive crops. This variety produces long, slender, blue-greenish leaves that have a slight crinkle to the foliage. This variety is great prepared in raw salads or also added into soups and sauteed vegetables. These kale varieties can either be direct seeded or transplanted. However, Travis prefers to transplant these different varieties due to quicker germination and consistent plant spacing in the garden. We offer other kale, colored varieties such as Blue Knight, Red Russian, and Scarlet Kale. The Blue Knight is a hybrid variety that has increased productivity with a deeper blue coloration. With a crisp and crinkled appearance, this variety works great in raw kale salad mixtures. The Red Russian has purple veins that become darker in colder temperatures. These leaves contain a thinner leaf that can be more tender than most other kale varieties. Scarlet has a darker red color blend with blue-green coloration in the center of the leaf that becomes stronger in colder temperatures as well. This variety contains many antioxidants and vitamins that are full of nutrients. All of these varieties are cold-tolerant and are bolt resistant which makes them perfect to grow on into the summer months.
Harvesting & Growing Kale
On this week's episode, Travis talks about how to properly harvest kale so you can get a repeat harvest throughout the spring and into the summer months in the garden. Plants that are planted in the early spring like lettuce and other greens should be harvested or they will bolt once it becomes hotter temperatures. However, Kale is an exception to these other crops because we can plant it in the early spring and it will continue to grow into the summer. Another benefit of growing kale is it typically will not bolt and has multiple harvesting times. When harvesting different kale varieties it is best to pull the stalks down instead of up. If you pull up on the leaves when harvesting you will risk uprooting the kale plant. So it is better to harvest the bottom leaves of the kale that way the plant can continue to photosynthesize and grow. Leaving at least four or five leaves at the top will help ensure over time the stalks will continue to produce leaves. Sometimes they will get two or three inches tall as you continue to harvest the kale throughout the growing season. Travis recommends using plastic produce bags like at the grocery store to store away bunches of kale. Just put a few bunches of kale leaves in the bag then poke a few holes for ventilation and store away in the fridge for up to a week. After multiple harvests, plants can resemble mini palm trees with stalks that continue to grow upward and produce new leaves. These stalks can sometimes reach up to four or five inches tall. There are many benefits to growing kale but the biggest advantage is growing these varieties in the early spring and up into the summer months allows for harvesting vegetable crops when many other vegetables cannot be grown during these summer months.
FAQs
You can pick spring-planted kale all summer, but leaves may get tough and bitter when heat arrives. Quality improves again in fall and plants continue growing even winter in mild climates. Frost makes them taste sweeter, and plants are cold-hardy at least to the low 20s.
What is the harvesting period of kale? ›
Harvesting kale
Most kale varieties are ready to be harvested within 70-95 days if sown directly with seed and 55-75 days from transplanting method. When the leaves are about the size of your hand, harvest them like any other green leafy vegetable. You can cut off the stems near the crown.
How would you describe the harvesting technique of kale? ›
Kale is ready to harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Pick about a fistful of outer leaves per harvest, but no more than one-third of the plant at one time. Avoid picking the terminal bud (at the top center of the plant), which helps to maintain the plant's productivity.
Will kale grow in summer heat? ›
Plants that are planted in the early spring like lettuce and other greens should be harvested or they will bolt once it becomes hotter temperatures. However, Kale is an exception to these other crops because we can plant it in the early spring and it will continue to grow into the summer.
Can you eat kale that has bolted? ›
The leaves of your kale and mustard greens are still edible once the plants bolt, but the plant is so focused on going to seed that it won't produce more leaves for you ever again.
Is it too late to harvest kale? ›
Kale can actually be grown and harvested year-round. It is often thought of as a winter crop for the vegetable garden as, along with the likes of growing parsnips and leeks, the cold weather and frosts turn starches in the plants into sugars to sweeten the taste.
What is the lifespan of a kale plant? ›
Kale is a great year-round leafy green option, requiring much less maintenance than lettuce and spinach. Technically, kale has a pretty short lifespan as a biennial, lasting just two years, but with this technique they can last up to three or more.
What temperature does kale stop growing? ›
It usually takes up to 95 days for kale to be ready after planting it from seed. Don't pick the terminal bud at the top of the plant, but harvest one fistful of leaves each time you pick the kale. Kale can grow until temperatures reach 20 degrees, and frost adds to the taste. The small, tender leaves can be eaten raw.
What to do with kale plants at end of season? ›
If they're still nice and healthy, you can keep them. If you think they're struggling too much, you might decide it's best to start over with fresh plants for the fall growing season. Kale is a biennial, so your plants will try to hang in there in your garden for as long as you'll let them.
What are the steps of harvesting? ›
Harvesting is the most labor-intensive task of the growing season on smaller farms with little equipment. The four steps of harvesting are reaping, threshing, cleaning, and transporting. Utilizing cutting-edge technology to harvest crops is crucial since it decreases grain waste and improves grain quality and quantity.
Kale leaves are ready to harvest when the plant is about 12 inches tall and the outer leaves are about as long as your hand. That typically occurs 50 to 55 days after kale is started from seed. Whenever you plant some kale, mark your calendars about 7 weeks out for kale harvest time.
Can you eat kale in summer? ›
Kale is a hardy, cool season green that is harvested in the spring, late summer and into fall. It can tolerate light frosts, so its season even goes into early winter. Typically, September is considered prime time for kale. That is one of the reasons you see it in so many soups and braises.
Is July too late to plant kale? ›
Planting kale mid-July through mid-August will yield an excellent harvest in the fall and winter.
