What is Kale?

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family. It is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Not only is it easy to grow, but it is a versatile ingredient that can be used in salads, soups, smoothies, or simply steamed or sautéed as a side dish.

Almost anyone can successfully grow this green with a bit of knowledge and research. This guide will provide you with the essentials so that you can be successful in your garden.

Kale Height

Kale plants typically grow to be about two feet tall and 18 inches wide. It is a relatively easy plant to grow and can be started from seed or transplanted from either a started seed or a nursery.

When trying to determine which variety of kale best suits your needs, you need to consider both the variety and the season. Kale prefers cooler weather which gives it its unique, sweet flavor. It thrives in the fall and early spring and tends to bolt in the summer after temperatures reach 80 degrees.

If you are working with a well-establish kale plant, expect to see it explode in both height as well as width. Young plants can still be harvested, and the leaves often taste more tender when they are small.

Kale Sun Requirements

This specific plant prefers partial sun but will tolerate a large amount of shade. It is a cool-season crop that is typically planted in the spring or fall. It does not require much sunlight; in fact, it needs as little as five hours a day to continue growing.

Ideally, mature plants need temperatures between 40 – 70 degrees to start taking off. They can survive a heavy frost, and is it possible to over-winter kale to receive an early harvest in the spring.

Kale Planting Times

While you can plant kale throughout the season, most people will choose to sow their seeds 2-to 5 weeks before their last frost date. When planning your fall garden, you should aim for planting 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost.

This timing primarily has to do with kale’s flavor. While still delicious in the warmer springs month, kale’s flavor is enriched after a light frost. If you are shooting for a sweeter taste, fall is the best time to plant.

Days to Maturity

Kale is one of the quickest vegetables to grow in the garden. From seed, it can take anywhere from 50-70 days to harvest. If you are transplanting a seedling, it can take as little as 35 days.

Kale Suggestions

When planting kale, be sure to space the plants 18-24 inches apart and plant them at a depth of ½-inch deep. It also benefits from being fertilized regularly. Water kale at the base of the plant, and be sure to keep the soil moist but not wet. Kale is ready to harvest when the leaves are big enough to eat.

Kale issues

Kale is resistant to many common garden pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance crop. The most common kale pests include:

-Cabbage Loopers

A cabbage looper is a tiny caterpillar, ranging from 1 – 1 and a half inches long, that is typically green with a yellow stripe on its back. If your kale has been damaged by cabbage loopers, you can expect small, jagged holes in its leaves.

Solution – You can pick these caterpillars off and squash them or spray your foliage periodically with BT. BT, or Bacillus Thuringienis, is an organic pesticide that is effective against caterpillars. They ingest it and stop feeding, eventually dying.

-Diamondback Moths

The diamondback moth is a small, brownish-grey moth that gets its name from the patterns on their backs that look like diamonds. These moths are known to lay their eggs on kale plants, and their larvae can quickly decimate a crop. The larvae are small, black caterpillars with stripes running down their backs.

Solution – You can use the same solutions as you would for Cabbage Loopers. Handpick them off or spray your kale periodically with BT.

-Aphids

Aphids are small, pear-shaped bugs that range in color from yellow to green to brown. They are often found in clusters on the undersides of kale leaves and can cause stunted growth as well as distorted leaves.

Solution – You can wash aphids off your kale with a strong stream of water from the hose, or you can spray them with insecticidal soap. Insecticidal soap is a contact killer, meaning that it only kills insects that it comes into direct contact.

-Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are minuscule, black bugs that, as their name suggests, jump like fleas when disturbed. These pests will chew holes in kale leaves, causing them to appear ragged. Adults lay their eggs near the base of kale plants, and the larvae feed on roots.

Solution – You can use row covers to keep flea beetles off your kale plants. Row covers are pieces of fabric that you lay over your plants to create a barrier between them and the pests. You can also try dusting your kale with diatomaceous earth, which is a powder made from fossilized algae that will kill flea beetles if they come into contact with it.

-Imported cabbage worms

Imported cabbage worms are also tiny, green caterpillars that can quickly strip a kale plant of its leaves. These pests are the larvae of white butterflies and are often found on the undersides of kale leaves.

Solution – You can use the same solutions as you would for Cabbage Loopers. Handpick them off or spray your kale periodically with BT.

-Harlequin Bug

The Harlequin bug is a small, black, and orange bug that feeds on kale plants. These pests suck the sap out of kale leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die.

Solution – You can handpick these bugs off your kale plants, or you can spray them with an insecticide.

The most common kale diseases include:

-Downy Mildew

Downy mildew is a fungal disease that causes kale leaves to develop yellow spots. These spots eventually turn brown, and the leaves will begin to die.

-Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that causes kale leaves to develop white, powdery spots. Much like downy mildew, these spots eventually turn brown, and the leaves will die.

Solution – Both of these diseases can be prevented by watering your kale plants at the base instead of from above. This will help to prevent the fungi from spreading. You can also try spraying your kale plants with a fungicide if they become infected.

-Black Rot

Black rot is a bacterial disease that causes kale leaves to develop black spots. These spots eventually turn brown, and you will notice the leaves beginning to decay.

Solution – This disease can be prevented by watering your kale plants at the base instead of from above. You can also try spraying your kale plants with a fungicide if they become infected.

-Club Root

Club root is a fungal disease that causes kale plants to develop club-shaped roots. This disease can stunt the growth of kale plants and make it difficult for them to take up nutrients from the soil.

Solution – This disease can be prevented by adding lime to your soil before planting kale. You can also try spraying your kale plants with a fungicide if they become infected.

• While kale is a relatively hearty crop, it can still succumb to pests and disease if not properly cared for. Be sure to regularly check your plants and take action if you see any signs of infestation or disease.

Kale Harvesting and Storage

You can begin harvesting kale after it has started to produce leaves that are approximately three inches in height. To harvest, cut or tear the leaves from the stem, being careful not to damage the plant. Kale will continue to produce new leaves after you harvest, so you can expect multiple harvests from each plant.

Once harvested, kale will last for about a week in the fridge. To store kale for longer, you can blanch it and freeze it. This helps to preserve the flavor and texture of the kale.

To blanch kale, first, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Then, add the kale leaves and let them cook for two minutes. After two minutes, remove the kale from the pot and place it in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the kale and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the kale to freeze for at least two hours. Once frozen, you can store the kale in a freezer bag for up to six months.

Why you should grow kale

Kale is a nutrient-rich, leafy green that can be enjoyed fresh or cooked. This versatile vegetable can be planted in the spring or fall and is relatively easy to care for. Be sure to water kale at the base of the plant and fertilize it regularly to prevent pests and disease. When harvesting kale, you can expect multiple harvests from each plant. Kale can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to six months.

So, what are you waiting for? Add kale to your garden today!

Do you have any tips for growing kale? Share them in the comments below!

Happy gardening!

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