Kale is a nutrient - dumb superfood that you should in spades add to your kitchen garden . It ’s easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season . Plus , it ’s packed with health benefit , making it an first-class choice for both home Captain James Cook and wellness enthusiasts alike . But how do you pick kale without killing the plant ?
In this blog post , we ’ll give you gradation - by - stride instructions on how to pick lettuce so it keeps growing . To get started , here are a few crest to remember when harvest kale :
1 . grant the Plants to maturate : Kale needs 20–50 days of growth before any leave of absence can be harvested . During this time , keep your plants well watered and fertilized for optimal growth .
2 . Cut the Outermost Leaves at the Base : When quick to harvest , remove only the outermost leaves from each stem at the base with a penetrating knife or shear . Do not transfer any central leaves as these will help advance fresh increase in the future tense .
3 . Repeat Outer Leaf Removal Every Week : To ensure uninterrupted production of new leaves , repeat this unconscious process of outer leaf removal every week or two throughout the season until mid - spring or when night temperatures begin to drop below 50 ° F ( 10 ° C ) .
4 . Protect Your Plants from the weather condition : Kale is frost hardy but should be protected from extreme cold or high-pitched winds that may damage its soft foliation and stems . Consider cover your plant with a faint cover or row screening in utmost weather stipulation .
5 . Prune Top folio meagerly : As tempting as it might be to prune off all of the top leaves for a “ neater ” appearance , doing so may accidentally stunt growth in your plant by redirecting energy away from new leaf production towards sustain exist foliage and stem instead . So dress meagerly and only take away yellowing leaves as needed for optimum results !
By following these steps and taking proper concern of your kale plant , you could enjoy harvests throughout the season without damaging them in any way ! And when done aright , you may expect a bountiful harvesting that will provide mass of nutrition for you and your family !
Can Kale Continue to Grow After Being Picked?
Yes , kale will keep growing after you pick it . It ’s important to be mindful when harvesting kail so that you do n’t damage the plant life . Instead of slew the shank or root , abridge at the base of the leaves that you want to nibble in one session and pass on everything else ( new increment , stems , and source include ) . That fashion , you could savor more fresh shekels over the season without damaging your plant !
origin : goodgardeningvideos.org
The Benefits of Growing Kale as a Cut-and-Come-Again Crop
Yes , kale is a cut - and - come - again industrial plant . This mean that if you glean unseasoned leaves from fall to mid - spring , you may ask them to regrow quickly and furnish more harvesting in the future . To harvest your kale , simply expend a sharp tongue to remove the desired leaves . It ’s authoritative to note that mature or yellowing parting wo n’t have the same flavor as fresh young leaves , so be certain to only glean what you need when harvest your bread .
Harvesting Kale Without Killing the Plant
Harvesting kail without killing the industrial plant is a round-eyed outgrowth . First , allow the plants to develop for 20–50 twenty-four hour period before picking any leaves . When it ’s prison term to harvest , set out by cutting the outermost leaves at the base . Avoid touching the central parting as these are all important for the flora ’s emergence and future harvest . duplicate this process every week , harvesting only the outermost leaves each time . Finally , be indisputable to protect your plants from bad atmospheric condition as this will aid ensure a bountiful harvest time of year after season .
Picking Kale: Top or Bottom?
When harvesting kale , it ’s best to pick from the bottom up . This is because rationalise the top leaf can do the works to become stunted in development . rather , focus on reduce off any yellow leaf to aid your plant life put its energy towards turn healthy leaves . Be sure not to cut too much at once , as this can damage the plant and compromise its health . For effective results , harvest a few leaf from the bottom of the plant every duet of weeks rather of direct a large amount all at once .
Regrowth Rate of Kale
Kale is a fast - growing plant life , and typically it will regrow in five to seven sidereal day after harvest . To encourage increase , ensure you pass on a few of the small cardinal leaves attach when you glean . By leave the diminished leave-taking , you will be able to harvest from the same plant again in five to seven days .
Source : epicgardening.com
Optimal Height for Growing Kale
Kale is a versatile and hardy green that can reach anywhere from 22 to 36 inches in height when yield the proper conditions . If you want to harvest babe greens , it ’s best to keep your kale at around 22 in . However , if you are front for larger leaves , you should allow your kale to arrive at its full potential difference of up to 36 inch . For optimum increment , verify your kail has plenty of sunshine , water and good grime calibre .
Should I Allow Kale to Bloom?
Yes , you should let kale flower ! Not only will it give you a fillip crop of sweet and luscious florets , but it is also beneficial for the plant and its surround . let your kale to flower let it to fill out its life cycle , giving pollinator more food sources in the appendage . Furthermore , the bloom are also edible ! The florets become even sweeter if your field live frost , so make trusted to take vantage of this opportunity and savour a special treat at the end of the time of year .
Cutting or Tearing Kale
When cook kale for a salad or dish , you could either cut or tear the leaves . To cut kale , roll the leafage like a cigar and rank it on a cutting instrument panel . Then , chop the mean cylinder into slight strips . If you prefer to tear the leaves , hold the stem of the leaf with one hand and use your other hand to squeeze off piece of the leaf from the stem turn . Alternatively , you may also massage kale before add it to your salad which will help to let on down its bad fibers .
Removing Stems From Kale
Yes , you should remove the stems from kale before cooking with it . The stems are generally too problematical to eat and can make the sweetheart less pleasurable . To take the stems , hold the base of the prow in one hired man and use your other hand to slide a knife down the length of the stem . You will end up with two half of kale leaves separated from their stem . Discard the stems and utilise only the leave-taking for your formula .
Source : gardenerspath.com
Eating Kale Directly From the Garden
Yes , you may consume kale straight from the garden ! However , it is important to rinse off any stain or rubble before eating . Kale is a cruciferous veggie and is an excellent source of antioxidant , vitamin and minerals . Eating kale raw is the best way to maximize its nutritional benefit . in the altogether kale can be added to salad , sweet talker , sandwiches and wraps , or eaten as a bite with humous or other dips . Additionally , you could cook boodle for soups and stew to enjoy its delicious flavour .
Preventing Kale from Bolting
Harvesting Kale from the Plant
The best place to cut wampum from the plant life is at the growth point , which is turn up at the fundamental fate of the plant where stems meet . To ensure new growth , it ’s important to reduce just below where the stem connects to the big leaves . This will leave behind the minuscule farewell so that the works can continue develop . To do this , use a penetrating pair of scissors or pruners and make certain to cut cleanly through the stem .
Leaving Kale in the Ground Over Winter
Yes , you could allow for bread in the ground over winter . Kale is a hardy crop that can outlive in insensate temperatures . It can be left in the priming coat with minimum trade protection , such as a layer of straw , a cloche or rime cover , or fabric row blanket . Kale is able-bodied to withstand temperatures as low as 10 - 20 ° F ( -12 – -6 ° C ) . When temperature are require to drop below this range for drawn-out catamenia of time , it is commend to reap the kale and store it in a cool , ironic place indoors .
Source : bunnysgarden.com
Does Kale Return Yearly?
Kale is technically a biyearly plant , mean it has a two - year life cycle . During its firt year , kale produces lots of leafy green foliage . In USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10 , the plant will remain to farm new leave of absence even during the winter months . In its second year , the plant will flower and seeded player , and then die after the seed is released . If you live in an area with mild winters , it ’s possible to have your kale plant come back each year by replant them after they have flowered and seed . Alternatively , you may also collect and keep some of the seeds from your plant to replant them in subsequent days .
Conclusion
In termination , Kale is a great leafy green vegetable to include in your dieting . It ’s rich in vitamin and minerals and is packed with antioxidant and anti - inflammatory prop . Harvesting simoleons properly is key to control that the plant bear on to spring up and produce new leaves . The sound way to do this is to contract the outermost foliage at the stand without concern the fundamental leaves , repeating this process evry week . to boot , it ’s of import to protect your plants from the atmospheric condition in order for them to flourish . With all of these tips in mind , you will be able to bask a steady supply of nutrient - pack dough for month to come !
Caroline Bates
