How To Grow Kale

Common Names: Kale

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea acephala

Vegetable Type: Leafy green

Varieties: Blue Armor, Blue Scotch, Greenpeace, Squire

The vegetable which is the face of the green, healthy, organic revolution is our one and only kale. It is known for its vast health benefits and has been known to help in preventing diabetes, heart disease, improving bone health, digestion, and maintaining healthy skin and hair. It is high in vitamins A, C, and K as well as minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron, copper, and phosphorus. But enough with nutrition, it also tastes great! It can be steamed, boiled, or eaten fresh in salads or sandwiches. So to enjoy this treat, let’s first take a look at the plant’s main features.

NOTE: You can buy Kale seeds online from the GreenMyLife store – home delivery anywhere in India.

Plant Features

Life-Cycle: Annual

Height:

Width:

Flowering Season: Late spring or early autumn depending on season of planting

Flowers:

Foliage: Long, lobed medium green leaves

Planting/Growing Details

Sunlight: If the plants are planted in the cool season, then full sun, i.e. 6-8 hours of direct exposure to sunlight is required. However, if they are planted in the warm season, then partial shade is optimal, i.e. 3-4 hours of direct sunlight exposure. The plants with more sunlight are generally healthier and provide a better yield.

Water: Regular watering, since the soil needs to be moist for the plant to grow properly

Sowing Season: While kale is generally a cold season plant, it can also be planted in the warm season with sufficient shade. It should be planted around 3-5 weeks before the end of the cool season, or 3-5 weeks before the end of summer.

Sowing Method: The plants should be spaced about 45-90cm apart and a nice supply of water is also necessary. Make sure to keep the soil pH between 6.5 and 6.8 so that clubroot does not set in.

Care: Mulch the plant regularly to retain soil moisture and control weeds. The kale crop is usually quite hardy so not much upkeep is required.

Pests: While pests are not so common for this crop, the main ones that appear are cabbageworms, flea beetles, and aphids. The first two can be avoided with regular inspection and removal at the larval stages. Aphid control requires washing the leaves and stem of the plant with soapy water to control the pests.

Harvest: Kale is usually ready for harvest in around 50-60 days after planting. The leaves can be picked and eaten raw or cooked as well. Make sure not to remove the terminal bud of the leaves as the plant can still stay productive with this bud.

Propagation: Kale is propagated using seeds.

Kale is quite an easy plant to grow due to its hardiness. It can be grown in either cool or warm seasons, and has a relatively quick harvest. Generally, if a moderate frost passes during the growth of the crop, its flavour is greatly improved. Try it out yourself and plant your own kale crop!

NOTE: You can buy Kale seeds online from the GreenMyLife store – home delivery anywhere in India.