Kale
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
A Basic Growing Guide
Description
When I was a kid in the 80s, salad was made of iceberg lettuce. In the 90s, we moved on to romaine. In the 00s, I recall being introduced to arugula and endives. And then in the early 2010s, kale entered the scene. Not so much entered as completely dominated the scene. Compared to iceberg lettuce, kale is a nutrition powerhouse. How could we have given it the cold shoulder for so long? And then I tasted it…oh…that’s why. I think a lot of other people felt the same way which is why my social media feed was quickly filled with kale chip recipes. You had to slather this stuff in oil, salt, and garlic and then BAKE in order to enjoy? Ok, ok, before all you kale lovers take too much offense, I am a kale convert. It was a chopped salad at a restaurant called the Kettner Exchange in San Diego that finally got me. I wrote down the contents of this finely chopped kale salad in the notes section of my phone on August 15, 2015: red leaf kale, olive oil, lemon, sugar, salt, pepper, parmesan, golden raisins, almond shavings, apples. Despite the long list of ingredients, kale was the star of the salad…and I liked it a lot.
Now, to figure out how to grow it. Turns out, there is not much to growing this leafy brassica! It is fairly easy to get an abundant harvest. With a little direction and a few tricks for keeping the bugs away, you can have kale chips for days. We have a few more recipe ideas at the bottom of the article- you’re going to need them because I’m serious about the abundant harvest part.
Some Common Varieties
Curly Kale: Classic kale with tightly curled, frilly leaves. We love “Winterbor” for its reliability and “Prizm” for the extra voluminous frills.
Lacinato Kale (Dinosaur Kale): Long, dark green, bumpy leaves with a tender texture. This variety holds up well for long cooking times in soups and stews. We like to grow “Black Magic” and “Blue Dazzler.”
Red Russian Kale: Flat, tender leaves with purple stems and a mild, sweet flavor.
Baby Kale: Baby kale is just regular kale, but picked at a younger stage. If you haven’t acquired the taste for raw kale, start with the younger leaves that are more tender and just as nutrient dense!
Kale Through The Season
Planting Instructions
Light Requirements
Kale thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade especially in hotter weather.
When
Kale is a cool season crop but can often last throughout the summer with the right care. In Middle Tennessee, plant kale in early spring (March-April) or late summer (August-September) for a fall harvest. Fall-planted kale often tastes sweeter.
Seed or Transplant?
Kale can be started from seed or transplants. Direct seed into the garden or start indoors 6 weeks before planting.
Depth
Sow seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep.
Spacing
Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
Growth Habit
Kale grows upright with a central stalk and bushy leaves, reaching about 1-2 feet tall. It is pretty resilient. If I get tired of dealing with cabbage worms and chop the kale down to the ground, it usually starts growing again from the stump in a few weeks.
Tending
Watering
Water kale consistently, providing 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering.
Common Pests and Treatments
Cabbage Worms: These green caterpillars come from cabbage moths which are actually beautiful white fluttering garden visitors, but they can wreak havoc on all your brassicas (kale, cabbage, broccoli, brussels, etc) Spray Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on the top and undersides of the leaves or handpick them off the plants. You can also cover your kale with netting (like a fine mesh tulle) to keep the white moths from landing and laying eggs. Be careful not to cover any of your other crops with flowers because the pollinators need access.
Aphids: Small, green or black insects that cluster on new growth. Spray off with water. Repeat every few days if needed. If pests persist, you can treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Slugs: Handpick or create slug traps by putting an orange peel or bowl upside down near the plants. In the morning, turn the trap over to find your slugs! Simply throw away or compost your orange peel slugs and all.
Common Diseases and How to Treat
Downy Mildew: Yellow spots on leaves. Ensure good air circulation by removing lower leaves and pruning/harvesting the plants around it.
Feeding/Fertilizing
Fertilize kale every 4-6 weeks with an organic fertilizer high in nitrogen like blood meal.
Pruning
No need to prune, just harvest!
Harvesting
When
Begin harvesting kale when the outer leaves are about the size of your hand. Baby kale can be harvested earlier for tender greens.
How
Pick outer leaves first, leaving the central growing point intact for continuous production. You can clip them with garden shears or scissors, or snap the stem of the leaf off the plant with your fingers. Harvest regularly to keep the plant productive.
Then What?
Store kale in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to a week. For longer storage, blanch and freeze the leaves.
Kale Recipes
What do do with an abundance of kale?