Good Reason to Give Kudos to Kale
by Olivia Blanchard
Nov. 2, 2024
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JANET MCCREA/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JANET MCCREA/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Since 2013, Kale (Bassica oleracea) has had a national day on the first Wednesday in October. This Cruciferae vegetable has gained celebrity status in the United States. Cruciferae refers to the shape of the sprouts that resemble a cross.
Kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, collards, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are known as cruciferous vegetables. Kale is a Scottish word derived from “coles” or “caulis” the general meaning is cabbage-like plants.
Kale is a veggie that is known for great health benefits. Numerous kale recipes are found in European countries, Japan and India.
In the 50-plus kale varieties, leaf sizes vary as do the colors and textures. Unlike cabbage, kale is non-heading and loose leafed.
Common types of kale include:
1. Red Russian
2. Lacinato—two-foot leaves
3. True Siberian—frilly leaves
4. Vates Blue-curled—12-inch leaves
5. Winterbor—24-inch leaves
6. Tuscan kale—textured leaves
7. Italian—nutty and peppery.
8. Redbor—mild cabbage-like flavor
Kale is grown as a cool-season crop or a Spring-season selection. The temperature is a factor for producing sweetness in Kale.
In the cool season, plant three months before the first autumn frost. Before setting out plants, soil temperature should be less than 80-degrees. Kale will not tolerate an icy freeze.
If planting kale in the spring, plant it early before the temperatures are consistently 80-degrees.
Planting suggestions:
1. Use fertile, well-drained soil
2. Grow in full sun
3. Add blood meal, composted manure or nitrogen fertilizer
4. Use direct seeding and thin as needed
5. Use Kale transplants
6. Avoid warm soil temperature
7. Mulch
8. Plant or thin 12-inches apart
Certain conditions may inhibit the crop to be less than hale and hearty. Aphids can be dispatched with water spray or a spray with 1% to 2% dish soap or insecticidal soap. Provide good drainage to prevent black rot. Be sure to remove diseased plants.
Cabbage worms may require hand picking or a BT (bacillus thuringiensis) spray. Mulch heavily to protect kale from flea beetles.
My introduction to growing kale started in the fall of 2022. I spotted a six pack of kale. I searched online for information. My small garden had a heavy mulched area just right for kale.
I planted the six kale plants 12-inches apart. Cool weather came and all six plants survived. Then came a hard freeze that froze the tops.
I cut off the browned tops and left the plants alone. Weeks later, each plant began sprouting new leaves along the lower stems. It was a surprise that yielded more kale to eat.
In 2023, at first only flat leaf kale seeds were available. Later, I did find some curly leaf kale (Brassica oleracea varsabellica). Both types grew well.
Once again, cold weather froze the tops of the kale. Again, after trimming the brown areas, new growth sprouted along the stalk. The flat leaf kale became a haven for the cabbage looper. With too many critters to control, that one had to go. However, the curly kale outdid itself and we had a big harvest.
Kale is one of the most nutritious leafy green vegetables. It contains many beneficial vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.
Various ways to prepare kale include kale salad or in smoothies, stir-fries, soups and casseroles. Kale can also be steamed or made into kale chips. Kale does like to be massaged before cooking or serving it fresh.
In my kale trials, I concluded that gardeners only need a few plants to provide a nutritious addition to one’s diet. Also, kale does best in cool but not freezing temperatures. Curly kale was more resilient, tastier and insect resistant.
Many good reasons to give kudos to kale.
REFERENCES
Health Benefits of Kale from WebMD