Kale is basically a cabbage type vegetable that doesn't form a head. Kale is tasty when cooked or kept small to use in salads. Learn how to harvest kale at the right time to encourage the most flavorful leaves. Kale, like many cabbage crops, is a cool season vegetable. As such, it is beneficial for the flavor to have a frost before harvesting kale. Planting at the right time will allow the plant to be of optimum picking size after frost. Baby kale leaves may be ready for harvest in as little as 25 days after planting but larger leaves will take longer. When to pick kale will depend on the use planned for the leafy green.
How to Harvest Kale
Learning how to pick kale ensures the kale is fresh; you can use the baby kale harvest for leaves in a few salads. Harvesting kale for use in soups, stews and cooked, mixed greens allows use of larger leaves. Harvesting kale may include taking a few tender inner leaves or removing the entire bunch by cutting at the roots. To use kale as a garnish, take either a large or small part of the kale harvest. Plan ahead before planting so you won't have more than you can use, or give some away after the kale harvest. You may want to use succession planting when putting kale into your garden so that your kale isn't ready for harvest all at the same time. When to pick kale will depend on when it is planted. In areas with mild winters, kale may be grown the entire season. In areas with freezing winter temperatures, start kale in late summer or late winter for a cool season frost before harvesting kale. Now that you've learned how to pick kale and a few facts about harvesting kale, you are ready to start your own nutritious crop. Kale has few calories, more vitamin C than orange juice and is an excellent source of calcium.
-
Clever Vertical Vegetable Garden Ideas For Small Spaces – 7 Ways To Save SpaceShort on garden space? Learn some vegetable garden ideas for small spaces that are fun and easy.
-
26 Different Types Of Orchids – With Pictures & InformationDiscover stunning orchid types to grow in your home and garden – from easy beginner varieties to rare and exotic species that are the preserve of experts.
-
Kale Pests And Diseases That Plague Fall GardensLearn how to recognize and eliminate the diseases and pests that attack your yummy kale plants.
-
My Kale Is Bolting: How To Stop Kale BoltingYou walk to your garden one fine summer day only to find your kale is bolting. Although this can be frustrating, you can learn how to stop it from happening again.
-
Different Uses For Kale – How To Use Kale Plants Post HarvestHave you wondered what to do with kale that's growing in your garden? Click here for some of the many uses for kale.
-
Prickly Kale Leaves – Does Kale Have ThornsDoes kale have thorns? Most gardeners would say no, yet this question is occasionally asked. Click here to explore reasons kale is prickly.
-
Saving Kale Seeds – Learn How To Harvest Kale SeedsNoted for its use in the kitchen, kale is an easy-to-grow leafy green that thrives in cooler temperatures. Unlike many common garden vegetables, kale plants are actually biennials. In this article, we will discuss how to harvest kale seeds so you can plant another crop.
-
Kale Rabe Information: How To Grow Napini Kale In The GardenWhat's napini? Napini is sometimes called kale rabe so you can see where this is starting to get confusing. Don't worry, the following kale rabe information will straighten it all out, plus tell you how to grow your own napini kale and its uses.
-
Kale Companion Plants: Learn About Plants That Grow Well With KaleKale is a cool weather green with ruffled leaves. Many plants grow well with kale - receiving and giving benefits to each other. So what are the best companion plants for kale? Find out about kale companion planting in this article.
-
Will Kale Grow In Containers: Tips On Growing Kale In PotsYou might be wondering about growing your own kale but perhaps you lack garden space. What about container-grown kale? Will kale grow in containers? Click here to find out how to grow kale in containers and other information on potted kale plants.
