Kale is one of the easiest, hardiest and most productive of all crops. In this video we
will see how easy it is to grow kale. Kale can be grown both as a spring and as an early fall crop.
We will be growing the "Dwarf Blue Curled" variety.
Kale seeds can be started indoors or sown directly in the garden. If starting indoors start the seeds
in potting mix or seed starter mix. The seeds will typically germinate in 8 to 12 days.
In early spring young kale plants can be set out in the garden
3 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost date.
For the fall harvest young kale plants can be set out 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost.
Kale does best in full sun but does tolerate partial shade. Kale likes fertile soil
to grow fast and produce tender leaves. Enrich the soil with compost and fertilizer
before setting out the seedlings. Plant them at the depth at which they were growing in
the container and space them 18 to 24 inches apart. After planting water the plants well.
It is important to keep kale well watered and fed. Improve the native
soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter.
The plant is ready to harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand.
Pick only a few leaves per harvest. Start harvesting the oldest leaves first from the
lower section of the plant. Avoid picking the tender bud found at the top center of the plant.
The small tender leaves can be eaten uncooked and used in salads.
Cut and cook the larger leaves like spinach but be sure to remove the tough ribs before cooking.
Within a week we are ready for the next harvest. Kale grows very fast and you can keep coming back
for more. They will grow steadily for months until the weather gets too warm. We'll get a second
chance to plant kale in the fall again when the cool weather brings out a wonderful sweet nutty
flavor that is unique to this cold natured plants. Hope you like this video. Thanks for watching !!