Kale is among the most nutritious of all vegetables.
September 16, 2024 - Kale is botanically the same thing as collards. While collard greens are associated with the American South, kale is more associated with Eastern Europe. Collards have smooth, rounded leaves while kale has either highly crinkled leaves or heavily cut or dissected leaves. In addition to the typical green, kale can be colored with white, pink, or purple. No matter its color, kale is one of the most nutritious vegetables for you on the planet and should be incorporated into as many dishes as possible including soups and stir fry.
Kale is a cool-weather plant that bolts or goes to seed when the weather is extremely hot. The flavor gets stronger with heat as well. And like most greens, the texture gets tougher with warm weather. Kale can tolerate frosts and moderate freezes but not very hard freezes, so it should be planted around September for a fall crop. A spring crop can be planted here around February. Kale is generally planted from transplants, which are often available from garden centers and feed stores. They should be planted 12 inches apart.
Kale requires at least eight hours of direct sun each day, but like most leafy greens it can tolerate a bit of filtered light, or as little as five to six hours of direct sun. Just remember that any amount of shade reduces production. Plant kale in a rich, well-drained soil or in a large container preferably whiskey barrel (30 gallon) sized. Small containers dry out too quickly in Texas’ frequent warm temperatures and droughts. Ideally, till several inches of organic matter into the soil and apply 2 pounds of a complete 3:1:2 ratio lawn fertilizer (15-5-10, etc.) per 100 square feet of bed or every 35 feet of row. In small plots use 2 teaspoons per square foot or foot of row. The ideal soil pH for growing kale is 6.0 to 7.0.
Dig holes that are the same size as the existing pots the kale is growing in. Remove from the pots and place the roots into the freshly dug holes. Gently firm the soil around them, being careful not to plant the plants any deeper than they were growing in their pots. Water them thoroughly with a water-soluble plant food such as Miracle-Gro at the labeled recommendation.
Kale is relatively easy to grow. For the best flavor and production, it requires cool temperatures and high fertility. Two to three weeks after transplanting, fertilize the plants with 1 cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0, etc.) for each 35 feet of row. Sprinkle half of the fertilizer down each side of the row. Lightly work it into the soil and then water. Repeat this fertilizing process every three to four weeks to encourage high yields. The main pest problems on kale are assorted caterpillars that destroy the foliage. Treat with organic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt, Dipel, Thuricide, Caterpillar Killer, etc.) following all label directions immediately when you notice the first damage and after each rain. Also, hand pick caterpillars and remove damaged leaves.
Depending on the variety, kale is generally ready to harvest in 45 to 55 days from seeding or in half that time from transplants. Pick the lower insect-free leaves that have just reached full size but are still tender. Wash and prepare or refrigerate immediately.
Recommended kale varieties for Texas include ‘Blue Knight,’ ‘Dwarf Curled Vates,’ ‘Dwarf Scotch,’ ‘Dwarf Siberian,’ ‘Red Bor,’ and my favorite, ‘Red Russian.’ Though not necessarily bred to eat, the showy ornamental kales and cabbages are botanically identical and certainly edible. Kale originated in the Mediterranean.
Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.
