Kale is a versatile autumn and winter vegetable. A good frost will sweeten kale overnight. At the same time, kale can withstand most winters in the garden with no protection. It’s hardy to 10°F. Cool- and cold-weather kale can be served almost like summer-tender spinach: cut out the center ribs of young kale and use…
Kale
Kale Seed Starting Tips
Kale grows best in the cool weather of spring and fall. Mature kale plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 to 20°F (-12 to -7°C). Time kale seed sowing so that plants come to harvest before very warm and hot weather; hot weather will trigger bolting and seed-stalk formation. Bolting can be slowed by…
How to Harvest and Store Kale
When to Harvest Kale: Harvest kale as soon as the leaves are large enough to eat. Pick large, outside kale leaves first; leave the center ones to grow on. Regular harvest and even watering will keep kale plants producing new tender leaves for several months—as long as the weather stays cool. Kale leaves will be…
Kale Growing Quick Tips
Take these kale growing tips to the garden: Sowing Kale: Sow kale seeds in the garden 5 weeks before to 2 weeks before the last expected frost in spring for a summer crop. If you are in a very cold region you can start seed indoors 5 weeks before setting plants in the garden. You…
How to Grow Kale
Kale is a cool-weather crop that requires two months of cool weather to reach harvest. Sow seeds indoors or outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in spring or as soon as the soil can be worked. Kale is commonly started indoors and transplanted into the garden when seedlings are 4 to 6…
Russian Red Kale
Russian Red kale is thick, juicy and chewy. Match this kale with grilled sausages, pork or turkey. You can also match Russian Red with grains, roots, dried fruits and nuts. Russian Red has silvery-green to blue-gray leaves that look like a cross between a turnip green and a highly lobed oak leaf. This kale doesn’t…
Cooking Kale
Kale is usually cooked and rarely eaten raw because of its strong pungent flavor. Small amounts of raw, young kale can be added to salads to bring a spicy note. Steam kale and serve with butter, lemon juice, and chopped bacon. Kale has large cabbage-like curled leaves, usually soft green but also shades of blue-green…
Kale: Kitchen Basics
Kale is a great match with hearty foods such as pork chops, fried catfish, garlickly sausage, and cornbread. A winter vegetable that goes practically undisturbed even by snow, kale can come fresh harvested to the table in mid-winter in even the most severe climates. Kale is a non-heading member of the cabbage family—very similar to…