By Barbara Fahs, Garden Guides Contributor
About Kale
More nutritious than most foods, kale is a star member of the
cabbage family (Brassica oleracea). Kale provides high amounts of
vitamins A, C and K, plus it's low in calories, high in fiber and
easy to grow in most climates.
Site Preparations
Dig compost into your soil before planting kale: it likes a rich,
slightly acidic soil. Begin seeds either directly in the garden or
in flats. Cover seeds with 1/2 inch of soil and keep
moist. Set plants out in early fall or spring; cool temperatures
produce the sweetest leaves.
Special Features
In addition to its high vitamin content, kale can be quite lovely,
especially the ornamental or flowering varieties of kale.
Choosing a Variety
Curly kale is pretty, with ruffled leaves. It's deep green and has
a lively, pungent flavor with spicy peppery qualities. Ornamental
kale, or "salad savoy," has green, white or purple leaves and its
stalks form a loosely knit head. It has a deliciously mellow flavor
and tender texture. Dinosaur kale, or "Lacinato" kale, has dark
blue-green leaves with an embossed texture. It is sweeter with a
more delicate taste than curly kale.
Planting
Kale will be a star in your winter vegetable garden. It likes frost
and when days are cool and nights are cold, kale will be sweet. Hot
weather can cause tough, bitter leaves. So start seeds or young
plants in the fall.
Plant kale in cool, moist soil, into which you have added some
compost. Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart, in rows 18 to 30 inches
apart. Fertilize with a general purpose fertilizer that has
moderate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Harvest
young leaves for salads, and steam or stir-fry older, larger
leaves.
Care
Keep the soil around your kale plants moist. Using straw mulch
helps retain soil moisture.
Aphids love kale as much as humans, so keep an eye open for these
small sucking insects. They can cause the leaves to curl and the
plants to become stunted. Ants "farm" aphids, so if you start
seeing ants on your kale, check for aphids. A mild soap spray
should take care of aphids, but repeat frequently because once the
aphids find your tasty kale, they will tell their friends about
it!
Harvesting and Storage
Young, small kale is the most tender and mild in flavor. Pinch off
firm, deeply colored leaves with moist, hardy stems.
Wash kale by filling a sink half full of water with a dash of cider
vinegar. Toss in the kale and soak for a few minutes. Pat dry, and
then roll it in a clean dishtowel and store it in a plastic bag in
the refrigerator crisper. Kale stays fresh for several days, but
eat it promptly to avoid bitterness.
