Overview

In the past few years, the word “kale” has become synonymous with health, and not without good reason. This nutrient-packed member of the cabbage family is rich in vitamins and minerals and tastes good to boot! As if that weren’t enough to make you want to fill your garden with this tasty plant, most types of kale are also relatively easy to grow thanks to their ability to withstand cooler temperatures. Like many other hearty greens, the leaves’ flavor will actually improve if exposed to cooler temperatures, so light frosts are your friend instead of foe. There are many different varieties of kale, but almost all types are either purple or green in color with broad or curly leaves.

As its name suggests, the heirloom Dwarf Blue Curled variety is one of the curly leaf types of kale, with a beautiful green-blue hue that makes it a popular addition to many fall gardens. This variety is considered to be particularly hardy and can be harvested in all climate zones until the ground freezes. Considering that it grows in a more compact fashion than other types of kale, it’s a great crop for space-challenged gardens.

  • Botanical Name: Brassica oleracae
  • Plant Type: Vegetable
  • Variety: Dwarf Blue Curled
  • Growth Cycle: Annual Biennial
  • Season(s): Spring Summer Fall Winter
  • Climate Zone(s): 2a 2b 3a 3b 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
  • Light: Full Sun Partial Shade
  • Soil Type(s): Loamy
  • Yield: 0.7–1 lbs per plant
  • Garden Dimensions: 1–2 plants per square foot
  • Germination: 5–10 days
  • Maturity: 55 days
  • Harvest: 55–80 days

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed:
Seed Depth: 1/4″
Space Between Plants: 2″, thin to 6–12″
Space Between Rows: 12–20″
Germination Soil Temperature: 45–90°F
Days for Germination: 5–10
Sow Indoors: 4–6 weeks before the average last frost. If starting a fall crop, start 4–6 weeks before the first fall frost.
Sow Outdoors: 1–2 weeks before average last frost for a late spring/summer crop. For a fall crop, sow seeds in mid to late summer. You can also do successive sowing, starting in early spring and continuing every three weeks.

Vegetative: Not recommended but can be vegetatively propagated by root or stem tip cutting.

Climate

Can be planted either in the spring just prior to the last frost or in the fall, leaving approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the first average frost for the plants to grow. In USDA Zones 8 and warmer, it can continue to be planted throughout the duration of the fall for harvest in the winter. Although plants will be richer in flavor when they are allowed to grow in cooler weather, they are tolerant of most climates.

In USDA Zones 4 through 7, this variety is a particularly good option as it will over-winter well if covered with an organic mulch, such as straw, or with a garden blanket.

Light

Natural: Full sun. Will tolerate partial shade but with the trade-off of a lower yield.

Artificial: Although starts or seeds will sprout under most types of indoor lighting, kale responds particularly well to LED and fluorescent lamps as they produce less heat than other sources.

Growing Media

Soil: Prefers a loamy, fertile soil with good drainage. A pH of a 5.5 to 7.0 will keep plants healthy and nourished, but a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is ideal. If your soil has large amounts of clay or sand, try mixing in a soilless potting mix.

Soilless: Unlike other leafy greens, kale does not require a ton of nitrogen, so most standard potting mixes will suffice for getting your greens to grow.

Hydorponics: Does particularly well in hydroponic systems such as NFT or rock wool and can usually be harvested within a month after starting.

Aeroponics: Will thrive in aeroponic systems.

Care

Water: Requires moderate to high levels of water. Aim for 1 to 1.5″ per week but do not allow soil to get soggy as kale is susceptible to root rot.

Nutrients: Unlike other leafy greens, kale is not particularly greedy for nitrogen, so applying a balanced fertilizer or organic compost when first planting outdoors and once or twice throughout the growing season should suffice.

Foliar: Is particularly fond of fish emulsion and liquid seaweed foliar. Apply every 3 to 4 weeks for optimal growth.

Pruning: Although not required, if you are not consistently harvesting your kale, remove older leaves near the bottom of the plant to encourage new growth from the center of the plant.

Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch such as straw or wood chips in the late fall to help plants overwinter. Mulch can also be applied in the warmer months to help regulate temperature, but be aware that in heavy rainfall, mulch can trap the water and cause the plants roots to become soggy.

Troubleshooting

Pest(s):

  • Aphids
  • Cabbage worms
  • Root maggots
  • Cabbage looper
  • Beet armyworm
  • Flea beetles
  • Thrips
  • Cabbage aphid
  • Diamondback moth

Disease(s):

  • Downy mildew
  • Head rot
  • Black rot
  • Alternaria leaf spot
  • Anthracnose
  • Damping-off
  • Root knot nematode

Deficiency(s): Phosphorus, potassium, and calcium are all common deficiencies you may run into. Tilling the soil before sowing or transplanting with an organic compost will help keep the soil fertile.

Rotation and Companion Plants

Rotation: Avoid rotating kale with other members of the cabbage family as they tend to be susceptible to the same diseases.

Companions: Grows well with onions, lettuce, chard, carrots, beets, and most herbs. Avoid planting with pole beans, tomatoes, bush beans, and strawberries.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest: Can be harvested when leaves are about 5″ in length, around a month and a half after planting. Pull downward on leaves as close to the main stalk as possible as any pieces of stem that are left over will continue to draw nutrients from the plant. Continue to harvest throughout the season, avoiding taking more than 1/3 of the plant at a time.

Storage: Leaves can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Other Info

Fun Fact: While this vegetable has experienced a huge surge in popularity in the past few decades, it’s by no means new to the human diet. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans were quite fond of the vegetable and frequently included it in their meals.

Consumption

Preserve and Prepare

Preserve: Leaves may be blanched and frozen for 8 to 12 months for optimum flavor. Kale may also be dehydrated and crushed up into a powder which can then be used in smoothies, stews, and soups.

Prepare: This plant has quite tough leaves, so they will need to be de-spined and massaged before eating if you are planning on consuming them raw. To prepare, simply cut the leaves away from the center stem and chop into smaller pieces. Add some oil (or our favorite, avocado!) and massage into the leaves. Let sit for twenty minutes to a half hour and enjoy. Leaves may also be cut from the stem, chopped, and added into soups and stews. May also be steamed and stir fried. Try baking in the oven on low temperatures to make kale chips!

Benefits

Nutritional: This plant has been referred to as a “super food” and with good reason. It is packed with vitamin(s) A, K, C, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, protein, and fiber.

Medicinal: Has been linked in some studies to lowering cholesterol levels. Like other members of the brassica family, kale has also been cited as a means to prevent certain types of cancers including prostate, breast, colon, ovary, and bladder.

Culinary

Add some spice to your life with this Thai Tofu and Kale Dish!

Resources

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