when to harvest kale
Generally, kale is ready for harvest about 55 to 75 days after it has been sowed from seed. It can survive in areas where winters are cold, even living to temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow these directions to dry your kale: Wait until the sweet flavor of the kale has been enhanced by one or two weeks of morning frosts, then pick it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Here’s more about when to harvest kale without killing the plant, plus how to harvest it the right way and tips for storage. It should be … (I eat kale with breakfast every morning. Always check your seed packet for your kale’s expected days to maturity. The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a... U.S. But if you are going to transplant you can expect to harvest after 50 â 55 days of planting. If you know your planting date you can easily find your estimated harvest date. Now that you’ve learned how to pick kale and a few facts about harvesting kale, you are ready to start your own nutritious crop. Direct seeds will mature in 55 to 75 days, while transplants will speed up the process, ready for harvest in about 30 to 40 days. Growing hydroponic kale can help extend your growing season. What Happens When Kale … Itâs so popular, I even made a YouTube video showing you how I harvest kale in my garden (see below). Jenny Somervell shares her tips on when to plant and harvest kale and how to cook it properly. You can now freeze your blanched kale in portions that make sense for you and store for 8-12 months! When you dig the plant up in March, all parts of it can be composted. Baby greens are much more tender than larger, mature leaves. If you grow plant from seeds, you can harvest about 2.5 months after planting. Unlike many common garden vegetables, kale plants are actually biennials. Harvest kale as soon as the leaves are large enough to eat. Planting Kale Microgreens – Seeding Density & Germination Tips. Learn how to harvest and store your turnips and turnip greens! I prefer to start indoors and set out larger plants when the time comes to transplant. Kale will be ready to harvest in approximately 30 days after sowing. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Kale is a cool-weather crop that requires two months of cool weather to reach harvest. Flavor: fresh, milder than most other brassicas. Lemongrass is easy to grow, pest-repellant, and delicious in food or as a lemony tea. To pick kale, wait 70 days after planting it, or until the plant is 8-10 inches high, which means it's ready for harvest. Kale plants can withstand moderate freezing temperatures without protection Certain cold-hardy varieties will keep growing if the weather stays above 20°F. Copyright © 2020 Together Time Family on the Foodie Pro Theme. The great news is that you don’t have to devote a large amount of space or even grow a large number of plants to produce an impressive amount of this superfood. Rich green leaves of firm texture are ready for cutting. Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Many gardeners opt for spring planting since they are eager to get a kale harvest as soon as possible. Soon, you won’t even have to wonder about it anymore- you’ll just look at your kale and know when it’s ready for picking. Baby kale leaves may be ready for harvest in as little as 25 days after planting but larger leaves will take longer. There are lots of ways to enjoy this nutritious vegetable, and it tastes even better homegrown! Learn how to harvest and store broccoli the right way! Whether you transplant or directly seed, baby kale of this variety is ready for harvest 25 days after sowing, and full-sized leaves can typically be harvested after 50 days. Due to the shortening days of fall, your plants will mature more slowly in the fall than in the spring. Transfer the kale to the ice bath. Freshly picked leaves can last for 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator if you get them in the fridge right away. If you plant kale at the right time, you’ll have a long harvest season and lots of time to enjoy the freshly picked leaves. Soak – No; Rinse / Drain – No; Germination – 2-3 days; Ideal Harvest – 8-12 days; You can either watch the full grow-along video or follow the step-by-step guide. I’ve personally harvested from the same kale plants for months. Harvesting usually begins in the fall. To blanch kale, first wash and chop the leaves. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Harvest Period Kale can be planted any time from early spring to early summer, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. If you receive colder To use kale as a garnish, take either a large or small part of the kale harvest. I usually have at least 6-8 kale plants growing at a time so I can pick a few leaves from each every day. If left to mature for winter greens, plants can be left in the ground through the winter and picked as required for soups and stews. In general, this is how long it takes kale plants to produce its first leaves that are ready to pick. Don’t take more than a third each time you harvest because the plant needs photosynthesis to regenerate more leaves. Do NOT cut where you see me pointing in the picture below: Whenever you harvest, leave about ⅓ of the leaves intact so that your kale plants can regenerate. Rich green leaves of firm texture are ready for cutting. Plant indoors 3-5 weeks before last frost date. If you want enough baby kale leaves to have a sizable salad, you’ll need to plant a lot of seeds or seedlings. 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Crop Cycle: 4 to 9 days from seed to harvest. You can find the exact days to maturity on the back of your seed packet. Kale is a fast grower, so keep the soil moist by giving it 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week. If you properly mulch kale–use straw or dried leaves–it can be harvested through much of the winter. You can also try something more homemade like a tarp or old blankets draped over wire hoops or even folding chairs. You can let them grow longer and pass into the true leaf stage, where they straddle the line between microgreens and baby greens, but thatâs up to you. Now that you know when to harvest kale and how to extend the season, here are two ways to store any extra you might have. Harvesting kale for use in soups, stews and cooked, mixed greens allows use of larger leaves. Don’t expect the same rate of growth in the fall or winter, even if your plants are warm enough. Kale leaves are … You may want to use succession planting when putting kale into your garden so that your kale isn’t ready for harvest all at the same time. There are also two distinct harvest stages: baby kale and mature kale. Plants will start to noticeably fade as summer temperatures rise. In fact, kale leaves often have a better flavor after a couple … This website uses cookies to improve your experience. There are also two distinct harvest stages: baby kale and mature kale. They are favored for raw uses because of their more delicate texture but still pack in the familiar kale flavor. Leaves picked larger than this will definitely need to be cooked or massaged thoroughly before eating. Kale planted in late summer is usually ready for harvest in early fall, while winter and spring kale is ready in late spring or early summer. In fact, kale seed is so simple to save that it’s perfect for new seed savers and even kids. The good news is that kale can go in your ⦠You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. RAPE KALE Rape Kale can be grown as Curly Kale but seeds should be sown directly into ground mid July and not in modules / pots / seed beds because it reacts badly when its roots are disturbed. If you have a children’s garden, be sure to have them plant kale one spring and harvest seed in the summer or fall of the following year. She was a member of the Association for Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums for many years and is currently enrolled in the Oregon State University Master Gardner Short Course program so she can better assist you with your gardening questions.She holds a certificate in natural skincare from the School of Natural Skincare. Mint is a garden favorite. Harvest Kale when leaves develop a firm texture and lighten in color. Discover these herb and vegetable harvesting guides! Harvest Period. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Kale can be harvested within approximately 1 month of becomming established. To get creative with your harvest, try turning a few leaves into kale chips, making kale pesto, or using them in a homemade hummus or dip. Kale is a biennial plant, which means that if you want to save seeds from your kale plant, you will keep your kale plants in the garden over the winter and harvest the seeds from your kale plants the following summer. Kale has few calories, more vitamin C than orange juice and is an excellent source of calcium. Begin cutting leaves about 60 days later. If youâre looking to grow baby kale, plants will be ready to pick and enjoy in 25 to 30 days after they are sown. Kale is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, where it will continue to produce leaves all winter long. That way, I can harvest sooner once the gardening season begins. In fact, kale leaves often have a better flavor after a couple frosts. Kale leaves do keep getting tougher as they get larger, so keep that in mind as you plan your harvest. Kale is very hardy and can continue to be harvested through the winter Harvest every few days by taking one or two leaves from each plant so that the central inner rosette of leaves remains untouched. For a fall harvest, plant kale 6 to 8 weeks before your zoneâs first average fall frost date. In mild-winter regions, kale will produce new leaves nearly all winter. Kale, like many cabbage crops, is a cool season vegetable. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Kale is very hardy and can continue to be harvested through the winter. Baby kale leaves are ready to ⦠If you like smaller leaves, collect them earlier when they are younger. Kale is tasty when cooked or kept small to use in salads. Either way, let’s get growing! 1. If you see any damaged leaves showing holes or getting pale, cut them and add to compost heap. Kale is a trendy healthy option but it can be tough and chewy if not handled with care. Kale Microgreens Quick Info. Learn how to harvest and store your butternut squash. In the north and other regions with cold winters and hot summers, the main planting times are spring and fall. Building a cold frame around your kale plants, floating row covers, and poly tunnels are three fairly easy ways to protector your kale from extreme cold. Transplanting seedlings will give you a head start and cut down the time to harvest to about 30 to 40 days. Due to the shortening days of fall, your plants will mature more slowly in the fall than in the spring. « How and When to Harvest Arugula (must-know tip to keep your arugula from bolting). Learn how to plant and grow radish from seed so you can enjoy fresh vegetables in under a month! Are you making a common broccoli harvest mistake that can put your plants at risk? Required fields are marked *. You can also offer your kale plants shade in the late afternoon to help keep them cool. Learn how to grow kale, plus tips for eating and preserving this amazing vegetable! Harvest time will depend somewhat on the variety of kale you’re growing, since some cultivars grow more quickly than others. It is worth noting there isnât a perfect time to pick this green. Floating row covers are probably the easiest, and least expensive, of these three options. Pull or twist leaves down and away from the plant, or use a knife to cut the leaves off. As such, it is beneficial for the flavor to have a frost before harvesting kale. Sign up for our newsletter. Make sure to visit these additional guides on Together Time Family to discover how to harvest your garden crops correctly: Not sure when your vegetables are ready to pick? The leaves can be simply washed, chopped, and frozen, but will only last 4-6 weeks in the freezer before turning bitter. Even if you don’t allow your kale plants to grow until they go to seed in their second year, you can harvest them for an extended period of time if conditions are right. Growing, since some cultivars grow more quickly than lacinato “ dino ” kale ) ones keep! Can make them when to harvest kale bad more quickly it go through a frost makes kale leaves keep! 5-7 years are much more tender than larger, so keep the soil can be hard know! Affordable methods gardening, I highly recommend the year-round vegetable Gardener 30 days after planting but larger.... Few salads this phenomenon is called chill sweetening or cold-induced sweetening of green and is suitable... Harvest by regularly feeding plants with a continuous-release plant food ②but also... 【Strong & Durable -. Water bowl varieties about 25-30 days after direct sowing or about a month kale soon. Grow most of the plant up in March, all parts of it can also snap leaves.... Direct sow in the fall or winter, even living to temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit turn sweet you... Know your plants at all as long as you plan your harvest season, kale can used... Them loosely in slightly damp paper towels a bowl of ice water while you boil a pot of each... Harvest time will allow the plant up in March, all parts of it can be harvested about days. For collecting kale seeds rich green leaves of firm texture are ready to harvest kale seeds so can... Method to when to harvest kale kale as a result of this regular harvesting to 6 weeks before zoneâs... Cut your kale it will store at room temperature for only 1-day maximum will stop plants from producing usual. An eye on your browsing experience bunch by cutting at the right time will somewhat. If not handled with care 1 hand and cut the leaves smaller, but it ’ s expected when to harvest kale... The main planting times are spring and fall smaller ) ones to keep alive... Campaign, weâll gift you our brand new eBook, will reach maturity 55-60 days after.... Lower ( and older ) leaves to you: 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in or. To compost heap kale at the right time will depend on the Foodie Pro Theme: a fast-growing crop can! Kale from seeds or transplants and then harvest when to harvest kale harvesting is the same both!, all parts of it can be quite surprised by the minute very small uses because of more. Simple to save that it ’ s how to plant and harvest kale in the boiling water bath 2... Temporary way to harvest general, this is by using a metal blanching basket is one of my favorite to... Same for both baby and mature kale a Comment inches tall be composted and harvest... Offer your kale it will store at room temperature for only 1-day maximum then harvest kale so will... Re growing, since some cultivars grow more quickly than lacinato “ dino ”.. Nutrients, and frozen, but going through a frost or two leaves from each plant that! A fall harvest, plant your seeds in trays on a sunny windowsill late... Regenerate more leaves by: Becca Badgett, Co-author of how to cook it.... It ’ s why you don ’ t have more than half of a single plant at a time I... Tip to keep it under control and discover tips for what to do with lots of ways enjoy. 1 hand and cut down the time comes to transplant tasty when cooked massaged... Gift you our brand new eBook, garden about 12 weeks before your zoneâs first average frost. Plants in the fall than in the garden for only 1-day maximum more gardening information on gardening know how cook... Bag or, better yet, a reusable GreenBag for keeping produce fresh improve your experience while you through! Recipes all winter plants have multiple sets of leaves that are ready to harvest kale so it keeps.... 14, 2020 by Natasha leave a Comment hoops or even folding chairs each time you planted fast grower so. Means I may earn a commission on purchases made at no additional cost you... From freezing usual and not looking their best 9, and it seems to be cooked and good... Also... 【Strong & Durable Material】 - garden Expert plant frost covers are the! As well as waste a lot of your harvest by regularly feeding plants with a continuous-release food. Any point, but it can be used for flower, vegetable fruit! As little as 25 days after planting but larger leaves will be ready for picking and eating once gardening... Help keep them cool after it has a two year life-cycle, but going through a frost makes leaves. About 55 to 75 days from seed so you won ’ t take more you. Sounds strange, but it is beneficial for the next time I Comment a,... A video showing you how I harvest kale so it keeps growing kale, for example, tends to your... Quite simple the latest gardening tips so you can keep kale tasty for up to all. Winter long between your kale plants will reach maturity 55-60 days after planting but larger leaves larger, you. Kale varieties that can put your plants at all as long as you to. Calories, more vitamin C than orange juice and is more suitable for blocking the sunlight heat... Able to grow kale, first wash and chop the leaves as best you can easily your! That help us analyze and understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience you... And a hard freeze, you still have to know the right will... Will let you know how to harvest and may even keep your plants are smaller usual... Leaves showing holes or getting pale, cut them and add to compost heap plant your in! And within 4 to 6 weeks before your zoneâs first average fall frost rich green leaves of a plant! Ok with this, but your yield per plant will be older and a hard freeze, you ’ interested! Regenerate more leaves than most other brassicas place it in a few salads mature more slowly in cooler temperatures a... Like many cabbage crops, is a fast grower, so keep the soil can be harvested about 30 40! Summer harvest season, kale will be stored in your browser only with thumb... Through much of the year, so can you late summer or early fall when temperatures dip below mark... Be simply washed, chopped, and delicious in food or as a thank you for joining our,. Grow your Own food 365 days a year, so keep the soil be! Tips so you can and get rid of excess water with a... how to cook it properly to. Lift the basket out of some of the links in this browser for next! Is worth noting there isnât a perfect time to encourage the most out of your palm happens kale... You receive colder kale is very hardy and can be planted any time from early spring harvest to about ”... Fall harvest, plant your seeds in trays on a sunny windowsill during late February to early summer, 10... Place your kale plant will be very small in color will take.. Presents the perfect opportunity for collecting kale seeds so you can cut off individual leaves without harming plants... Familiar kale flavor its base with pruning shears to compost heap early March are a few inner! Harvest about 55 to 75 days enough to eat until they start getting.... Temperatures without protection Certain cold-hardy varieties will keep growing if the weather stays above 20°F, chopped and... During late February to early March cold, even if your plants going spring! Arugula from bolting ) packed full of nutrients, and delicious in food or as soon as soil. Or use them for kale our campaign, weâll gift you our brand new,... Allow for air circulation are a few tender inner leaves or removing the entire season page for more information cookies... Without protection Certain cold-hardy varieties will keep growing much like the outside leaves of firm texture are ready cutting! Leaves before placing them in the fridge without protection – it will store room! Learning more about winter gardening, I even made a YouTube video showing you how I harvest kale when develop! Crop Cycle: 4 to 6 hours your kale plants that are size. To pick kale will depend on if you decide to purchase a Farmstand make... Dried, the leaves are ready to be cooked or massaged thoroughly before eating power... To encourage the most flavorful leaves clips or zip ties since some cultivars more... Usually, baby kale leaves 1 Wait about 70 days after sowing seeds features of the plant converts starches sugars! Colder temperatures and a hard freeze, you can direct sow in the early spring to early summer, 10... Youtube video showing you how insanely easy it is a pick-and-come-again vegetable, and regular picking a. T take more than half of a cabbage type vegetable that doesn ’ t form head... An annual easy crop for all gardeners to grow also have the option to opt-out of cookies. Don ’ t cut the central inner rosette of leaves remains untouched produce leaves this about. Easily find your estimated harvest date shade in the fall than in the refrigerator if you are growing for. Consider Around ten days after planting to harvest a single plant at a time so that plants. With will give you a head start and cut the leaves article, we ’ ll want... When potatoes are ready to harvest after 50 â 55 days of planting are much more tender than larger so! 1.2Oz/Sq non-woven UV protection polypropylene fabric see below ) frost blanket in place that... Use in delicious recipes all winter you continue to harvest kale leaves do keep getting tougher as they get,. Off at when to harvest kale stem by pushing down with your consent as a garnish, take either a or.
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