![]() ![]() That means once the temperatures are about 75 it won’t grow as well or it may go to seed. Remember that kale is a cool weather crop. So all you have to do is plant and then harvest when it’s ready! It doesn’t require a lot of care or upkeep. Kale is a pretty hands off plant- making it perfect for busy gardeners. Mulch can also help keep the soil cooler. Once your kale plants are planted and established in the garden, there are a few things you can do to keep them healthy and productive.Īdd a layer of mulch around the base of each plant to help retain moisture and control weeds. ![]() ![]() Water your plants thoroughly right after planting, and water frequently over the first week if the weather is dry to make sure the plants get established. Make sure their roots are completely covered with soil so that they don’t dry out. If your seedlings are leggy at all, you can bury the stem up to the first leaves to help give them more stability. Space your kale plants at least one foot apart to avoid overcrowding and allow for plenty of air flow. Anytime the daytime temperatures are above around 50F.Ĭhoose an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day and prepare the soil by digging in some compost, manure, or other organic matter. Since kale likes cool weather, I start putting my trays outside as early as possible in the spring. Make sure you have hardened off your seedlings well before transplanting outside. You can begin transplanting your seedlings to the garden about 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. I prefer to use a spray bottle to water seedling while they are germinating and are very small. Keep the soil moist, but not saturated, as you wait for your seeds to germinate. Place your seed trays in an area that gets plenty of light, such as near a sunny window or under a grow light. The seeds should be no more than ¼ inch deep. Sprinkle your kale seeds over the surface of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of additional potting soil. You don’t want the soil sopping wet, but it should be evenly moist. To start your kale seeds indoors, fill a seed starting tray with potting soil and water it well. Starting seeds indoors also gives your plants more protection from the elements and allows them to get established without any outside stressors. It gives you a head start on the season and allows you more control over the germination of your seeds. Red Russian: One of the more tender kale varieties, does best in cooler conditions, and gives an early crop.Vates Blue Curled Kale: Hardy variety that is slow to bolt.Lacinato (also called Dinosaur or Tuscan kale): Lacinato kale is tolerant of both hot and cold weather, but is less winter hardy than other varieties.Here are some common types of kale to try: There are dozens of varieties of kale available to choose from, so it’s important to find the one that works best in your climate and soil conditions. How to Grow Kale from Seed in Your Backyard Garden So let’s get started on our journey into growing this amazing vegetable! This guide will provide all the information you need to know about how to grow kale from seed, including choosing the right variety of seeds for your climate and soil conditions as well as caring for your plants throughout their life cycle. It can tolerate some frost- sometime even down in the teens! Frost can often improve the flavor of kale. Kale is a cool weather loving crop that does best when temperatures are between 55-75F. Growing kale from seed is easy to do, and it’s an excellent way to enjoy fresh, homegrown vegetables in your own backyard! Please see my disclosure page for more information about cookies collected and our privacy policy. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. ![]()
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