{"id":2388,"date":"2019-06-10T03:06:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T03:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2388"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:10:46","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:10:46","slug":"15-gardener-tips-on-how-to-grow-care-for-kale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/15-gardener-tips-on-how-to-grow-care-for-kale\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Gardener Tips on How to Grow & Care for Kale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kale is a leafy vegetable that is thought to be in the green family, including collards and mustard. It is more of being in the cabbage family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When kale grows, it grows upwards in a curly fashion. Most kale are green, but they can be purple as well. When it comes to kale, they can be grown in the wintertime. They are easy to grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is still a good idea to keep an eye on kale because they are prone to pests and can rot. Once you notice the leaves have been chewed on, you\u2019ll need to take steps to prevent it from happening again since bugs carry diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are eight gardener tips on how to grow and care for kale. Once you know how to grow and care for them, you\u2019ll have a good batch of kale that you will feel confident in serving to the entire family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Use high-quality soil when growing kale. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kale does well in soil that is slightly acidic. The leaves are the ones that are growing, so having a high nitrogen content is helpful. When you purchase soil make sure you get the right type of soil. Not all high-quality soil is the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you purchase at a local nursery, you can ask the salesperson about the different types of soils. They should be able to tell you what type of soil is best for kale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you buy soil in the bags, it will tell you on the back what the soil is good for. Read it carefully, so that you know if the soil you are purchasing is the right kind of soil for kale. Just using plain dirt will not make your kale grow well or fast enough. In some cases, they may not even grow by just using dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Place the kale plants in partial sunlight. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kale doesn\u2019t need to be in the sun all of the time. They need just enough sun to make them grow. If you plant the kale in a sunny spot, make sure to give them plenty of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some shade is needed when the weather is dry and warm. By placing the kale in the sun, it gives them a chance to grow, but you don\u2019t want them to get too dry. Too much sun will dry the kale. The leaves will start to turn like they are rotten and they won\u2019t have that fresh taste because they were sitting out in the sun too much. So, when you start planting the kale seeds, look for a spot that has some sun, but shade as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want your kale to be green or purple and have a fresh taste when you cook them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Water the kale often. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kale needs plenty of water to grow. You can even use some plant food. Plant food is only given a couple of times a month. This will allow the kale to have strong roots and plenty of nutrients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you are planting kale in the cooler months, the ground will allow the kale to stay moist. Check the soil every day to see if it needs watering. When you water your garden just water the soil and not the kale leaves. Water on the leaves can contribute to bacteria. You want fresh leaves once they are ready to be picked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Placing mulch down will allow the soil to stay moist as well. Since it\u2019s in the wintertime, you want to put everything down that will keep you from being outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will still be days when you have to water the soil, so it\u2019s good to check the soil often. It only takes a few seconds to check the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Fertilize after planting the kale. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fertilizer is good to keep insects away. There is no need to worry about insects chewing on the leaves. Insects carry diseases and you don\u2019t want to put diseased kale in your mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you purchase a fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content. Compost can be used as well. For each row of kale, use a half of cup of fertilizer for each 10 feet row. Fertilizer needs to be mixed in with the soil. It needs to be three to four inches in the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t know what type of fertilizer to buy, always check with an expert at your local nursery. The expert should be able to get you as much fertilizer that you need to grow your kale. Depending on how large your garden will be, you\u2019ll need a large bag of fertilizer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is always best to have more than not enough when gardening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Harvest the larger, older leaves that are closest to the bottom. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you take the leaf, take the stem and everything. Never harvest the leaves at the top. It will prevent them from growing. By harvesting at the bottom, they can continue to grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always get rid of the yellow leaves or the ones with holes in them. Throw these leaves away. There is no need to cook them because they are likely infected with disease. The reason for the holes and the yellowing color is because you took too long to harvest the kale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you continue to place your hands on the kale leaves, you\u2019re disturbing insects or other pests that like to chew on the leaves. Once they are ready to be picked, get the kale out as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t have too much kale because once you cook them, they will shrink. It takes a lot of kale to feed a family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Start the kale process by planting them in pots or modules first. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use as many pots or modules that you need. Once they start growing transfer them to your garden. When you plant them in pots or modules, use the same kind of soil you are going to use for your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the seeds are planted, cover them with a half an inch of soil. Water the soil often, so that they don\u2019t dry out. They don\u2019t need to be over watered. It is a good idea to start the indoor plants early, so that you have plenty of time to transfer them to the outside. Start them about six weeks before your last frost. Kale germinates quickly. It is estimated that they will germinate in a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertilizer can be added to the soil as well. By taking care of the kale early, it will allow the kale to be in good shape once you transfer them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Start kale planting when the temperature of the soil is between 60 to 65 degrees. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The soil needs to be warm before planting. All varieties of kale will become sweet when the frost hits it, but will have a bitter taste if you plant during the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though, kale grows all year round, if snow and frigid temperatures hit the kale, they will collapse. It may be a good idea to cover the kale in the winter, especially if you live in an area that is prone to heavy snowstorms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In areas, where the temperatures are mild, the kale will continue to grow as long as they have plenty of water. You don\u2019t want the soil to get too dry because it will slow the process of the kale. They might not even grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you had a greenhouse, you wouldn\u2019t have to worry about heavy snowstorms ruining your kale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Store picked kale in the refrigerator. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t place it in a bag and seal it. It will retain its crispiness for about a week or two. By placing it in the refrigerator, it stays moist. You don\u2019t want the kale to get dry because once you cook it, it won\u2019t have the crispy taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to pick a large bunch of kale because once you cook them, they will shrink. If you are cooking for a large family, especially during the holidays, you\u2019ll want to pick a lot of them. Some people store kale in the freezer, but you don\u2019t want them to freeze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ice will get on them and when you decide to cook them, they won\u2019t have that crispy taste. You\u2019ll just have to pick some more. Storing kale the right way is just as important as growing them. Just make enough room in the refrigerator to store them since they will large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n