Comments on: How to grow kale: Tips for planting, preventing pests, and harvesting

By: Tara Nolan

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 17:39:58 +0000

In reply to Jeanette.

Hi Jeanette,
Yes, you can eat the outer leaves, however the longer they’ve been around, the more bitter and/or tougher they become. Those ones are better for making kale chips or perhaps stir frying.

]]>

By: Jeanette

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 13:47:16 +0000

Can the outer leaves of kale be eaten?
The kind of round ones.

]]>

By: Savoy IL

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 18:15:23 +0000

I tried Kale in my garden, the cabbage worms got it in late July, but are not really around much before the 4th. However I didn’t like the overly fibrous quality of the vegetable. I found a Japanese green called Komatsuna that is much easier to grow and did well in central Illinois. It is a 60 day crop so is done before the cabbage worms come and is much more tender and sweet. I tried some other Asian greens but they bolted too quickly in the spring. Komatsuna turned out the most suitable for my climate.

]]>

By: Tara Nolan

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 13:58:11 +0000

In reply to Lindsay.

Thanks, Lindsay. It’s a container variety from Renee’s called Green Curls. 🙂

]]>

By: Lindsay

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 01:54:44 +0000

Hi! Thank you for the great information in this article! Can you tell me what type of kale the picture of the seedlings is (red pot, grown in the “salad bowl”?

I appreciate it!
Lindsay

]]>

By: Tara Nolan

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:20:15 +0000

In reply to Kate.

Hi Kate,
The growth comes from the middle, so cutting the top off will prevent further growth.

]]>

By: Kate

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:15:47 +0000

We’re into our second year with our kale plants which are under poly tunnels. They’re growing so tall they’re struggling to fit. If we cut the tops of the main stem down will it kill the plant? They’re so healthy otherwise.

]]>

By: Matt

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:10:05 +0000

In reply to Leah.

I’m in zone 5b and many but not all of my kale survived the winter under plastic (mini hoop house in a raised bed). I lifted the plastic and watered maybe 3-4 times during the winter. I conlcude that they can survive the cold but will break apart due to wind, snow, etc if not covered. I pulled the plants around june 15 and let the seed pods dry and used this for seed.

]]>

By: Tara Nolan

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 20:19:24 +0000

Hi Leah, Last winter some of my kale plants, planted against a stone garden wall survived under floating row cover. These are the ones that bloomed for me this past spring. You can plant in an unheated greenhouse, but a garage may work if there are windows and the plant will get some light.

]]>

By: Leah

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 01:54:36 +0000

I really want to save the kale seeds, but I am in zone 5 where has extremely cold winter. My kales always died away in late fall. Is there a way to survive kale through the harsh winter, so next year, the plants will produce flowers to seeds?
By the way, I might try to dig whole kale out during the fall season and leave it in the garage, is it feasible? If yes, do I need to water it? What temperature should be ok to save the plant?
Thank you.

]]>