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Kale is part of the cabbage family and is closely related to collard greens. It has a distinct, strong flavor and comes in two edible varieties: curled leaf and straight. There is also ornamental Kale, which flowers beautifully. Hardiness Zones: 6-11 (Find your hardiness zone.) When to Plant: Directly sow seeds in early spring (for a summer harvest) under just 1/2 inch of soil, or start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before you want to plant outside. Kale can handle a light frost. Conditions: Kale plants will grow in average and poorer soils, but like any plant, they respond favorably to richer soil that is high in nutrients. Space Needed: Thin seedlings to space plants 8-12 inches apart. Space rows 18-30 inches apart. Maintenance: Provide plenty of nitrogen for a greener crop and keep the soil moist. Kale will turn bitter if under-watered. Like all plants in the cabbage family, white butterflies and cabbageworms (green caterpillars) can be a major problem. When to Harvest: Kale matures in 55-60 days, but young leaves can be harvested whenever you like. Average Yield: A 4-foot row of kale will produce about 5 pounds per season. Continuous Yield: Yes Life Cycle: Annual Difficulty Rating (1-5): 1  |
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