kale
aka brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Kale is a cold-hardy and resilient green veggie.
variations
Red Russian, Lacinato, True Siberian, Vates Blue Curled, Winterbor
light
just a little
Kale only needs about 3 hours of sunlight to grow
water + feeding
keep it watered.
Kale needs consistent watering. Your kale needs about 2 inches of water a week.
toxic
okay for humans
But could cause kidney and bladder stones for dogs.
size
small-ish
Can grow between 1 – 2 ft
pro tip
sweetened by frost.
Kale can be harvested until it’s 20°F/-7°C outside. In fact, the first nips of frost can make your kale taste better.
fun fact
technically a biennia
It’s a 2-year plant that produces leaves in the first year and a flower stalk in its second year.
beyond the basics
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companion planting
Kale works well when planted by artichokes, beets, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, peas, potatoes. Avoid other brassicas being planted alongside kale. These include broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and Swiss chard.
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Harvesting
When your kale’s leaves are about the size of your hand, it’s ready to harvest. Be sure not to pick more than a third of your plant’s leaves at a time.
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pest control
What are these little white flies? They are literally Whiteflies. They drink sap and excrete a sticky ‘honeydew’ which also encourages mould. Use sticky traps or Ortho® Bug B Gon® ECO Insecticidal Soap to keep your plants healthy.
troubleshooting
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why are my leaves full of holes?
Cabbageworms. You can use companion plants to help naturally combat these pests. Quickly hand pick your kale, and don’t forget to use row covers to help keep your kale safe.
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what are these weird yellow V-shape on leaves and rotting stems on my kale?
Probably black rot. This is a fungus that leave yellow v-shapes on your kale’s leaf edges. To prevent this, make sure to rotate your crops and remove debris from your garden. Don’t forget to make sure your garden has good drainage.
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why are my kale’s leaves misshapen?
Could be aphids. To prevent aphids from infesting your kale plants be sure not to water the foliage. If aphids persist, you can use an insecticide like Ortho® Bug B Gon® ECO Insecticide Ready-to-Use.
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