Kale (Brassica oleracea var acephala) is a herbaceous biennial with a strongly developed root system. Forms a thick stem 10 to 110 cm high. Long, oval, curly leaves are the edible part of the plant. They can be harvested at any stage of growth. Depending on the variety, they come in different colors, from green and red to cyan and purple.Kale is known all over the world and in some countries it is one of the most popular national dishes.
Contents:
- Kale - position
- Kale - cultivation
- How to care for kale?
Kale - position
Growing kale is not problematic - it has low requirements and is resistant to both frost and drought. Low temperatures even favor the development of the plant.
Kale prefers wind-sheltered positions, and the sandy loam soil, quite moist, fertile, with a pH close to neutral. It is good to grow kale in the 1st or 2nd year after the manure. It can be grown as an aftercrop after plants that leave the field early - spinach, lettuce, early varieties of potatoes.
Kale: cultivation
Growing kale is no more difficult than regular cabbage. It does not tolerate transplanting well, so it is best to sow the seeds into the ground immediately.This should be done in early May or late April. Before planting, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for about 20 minutes and then briefly immersed in cold water. Seeds are sown in rows every 40-60 cm. Until sprouts appear (about a week), it is recommended to cover the bed with foil or fleece. After germination, break the plants so that they grow every 30-50 cm from each other.
If you want to harvest kale throughout the winter, it is best to sow the seeds into the ground in rows every 30-40 cm in September. We will obtain delicate, young and non-lignified plants that can be used in its entirety, together with the stems.
When growing kale from seedlings, seeds are sown in pots in May or June. After 1.5-2 months, we can plant the seedlings in the place constantly.
How to care for kale?
The further care of kale is actually no different from the care of regular cabbage. Watering, even daily, is crucial in growing this plant.Kale likes moisture and grows poorly in dry weather. It is also necessary to fertilize regularly. Every 2-3 weeks it is worth supplementing the plants with organic fertilizer (biohumus, liquid manure and plant extracts). To obtain large, juicy leaves, the plants should be fed with fertilizers rich in potassium.
Kale responds very well to mulching with compost or humus. The mulch will help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds.
