Kale. Okay, so not my favorite vegetable on the planet, but The Girl loves it so I’ve decided to plant a few rows of the stuff for her this year. She loves to add kale to her smoothies. I personally like to add it to my compost pile, but to each their own ;).
Admittedly, Kale is nutrient packed. It has over 45 flavenoids {not to be confused with excellent flavor–totally different}. It also has about 1100% of your daily vitamin K intake, which is pretty darn impressive. It is touted as an anti-cancer food, as it boasts impressive levels of antioxidants. So, I guess I’ll have to have The Girl whip me up a smoothie and suck it up…literally.
How to Grow Kale:
Kale is super forgiving. It is a cold weather crop, so it’s one of the first and last crops you can grow each season. In some areas, Kale and Arugula will grow all winter–though, very slowly. You can sow it directly outside about 1-2 weeks before the last frost {I personally think you can do it as soon as the soil can be worked, it just won’t really start to grow until 1-2 weeks before the last frost}. To sow it outside, sow seeds about 1/4″ – 1/2″ deep depending on the variety {check your seed packet}.
When seedlings are about 1″ tall, thin them to one every 8″-10″. Kale will go to seed pretty darn quick in hot temperatures, so plan to grow it early spring or late fall. You can also start seeds inside about 5-6 weeks before the average last frost. Then, you can transplant them into your garden or in containers. Follow the same basic growing guidelines as outdoors.
When is Kale Ready to Harvest?
You can harvest the leaves of Kale pretty much anytime there are leaves. The smaller leaves actually have a bit better flavor. Just pull off the outer leaves as needed, and it will continue to produce for you the entire season.
My Favorite Kale Recipes:
Sauteed Kale with Parmesean Cheese
Kale Brownies with Carrots
Quiche with Kale, Bacon, Mushroom and Cheese
If you live in the Pacific Northwest Region and are unsure what seeds you should be starting right now, or when your transplants should be set out in the garden, this regional planting guide should help you out.
Don’t live in the Pacific Northwest? Find your regional planting guide HERE.
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Libby says
Mavis, I love this idea! I have a whole closet full of clothes and I can never seem to find the right thing. I guess one issue is for the last 6 years I have been pregnant or feeding or dieting, or working. My weight, shape, and type of clothes I need is all over the map. I have everything from size 6 work pants to size 14 maternity pants. Also I hate I get rid of it because I find myself back to work or pregnant and need the different wardrobe. I imagine some other mamas have this same issue too. Well anyways I hope one day I can simplify my wardrobe and I’ll make an effort to at least organize it all in the meantime.
Jennifer Meyer says
This post was hysterical! I personally like to add it to my compost pile hahaha! Flavenoids not to be confused with excellent flavor totally different OMG those 2 lines had me dying lol!! I love you Mavis!
Kath says
My best discovery for kale was kale pesto. The terrific amounts of garlic and the fact that it’s torn to tiny shreds, seems to mask the awfulness that is kale. I blanch it first, to keep it green longer (because I never make just one batch; I freeze tons for later), and also because I’m not supposed to eat raw kale, as I have a thyroid disorder.
Kale, garlic, olive oil, nuts of some kind (walnuts are my favorite, cheap, always on hand), parmesan cheese, salt. Process the crap out of it in a food processor, and serve it on anything from bruschetta to pasta to minestrone. Yummy!
Or, trade it for something that doesn’t contain kale.