{"id":2484,"date":"2023-04-18T09:15:28","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T09:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/?p=2484"},"modified":"2023-04-18T09:16:55","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T09:16:55","slug":"all-about-the-kale-plant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/all-about-the-kale-plant\/","title":{"rendered":"All about the Kale plant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It may look like cabbage, but Kale <em>(Brassica oleracea)<\/em> has its own unique features that set it apart. Unlike regular cabbage, kale doesn&#8217;t form a tightly packed head, making it a member of the cooking greens category along with collards, mustard, and Swiss chard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the coolest things about kale is that it comes in a variety of shades and textures. You can find curly, textured leaves in green, purple, and other colors, making it a visually stunning addition to any dish. But it&#8217;s not just pretty to look at, it&#8217;s also a relatively fast-growing plant that can be harvested in just three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re thinking about growing kale yourself, you&#8217;ll want to plant it in the late winter or early spring, or even in the late summer for a fall or winter harvest. Keep in mind that kale is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its full growth cycle. But don&#8217;t worry, in its first year it&#8217;ll still grow plenty of tasty leaves to enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Most common Kale varieties: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Common Curly Kale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Red Russian Kale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Siberian Kale<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lacinato Kale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t worry, caring for kale plants is relatively easy! Maybe even easier than caring for <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-pumpkin-to-grow\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1199\">pumpkins<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/how-long-do-tomatoes-take-to-grow\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1171\">tomatoes<\/a>. It just needs a few basic things to grow and thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Light:<\/strong> First of all, kale loves sunlight &#8211; six or more hours of direct sunlight a day is best for the fullest growth. However, if you live in a hot, dry climate, providing some shade during the afternoon can help prevent the leaves from wilting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil:<\/strong> When it comes to soil, kale prefers rich soil with plenty of organic matter and a slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is also important, so make sure the soil doesn&#8217;t stay too wet. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> Water your kale regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, and mulching can help to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Temperature:<\/strong> Kale is a cool-weather vegetable that can handle some frost and prefers cool temperatures, so avoid planting during hot weather. It&#8217;s a biennial plant but is usually grown as an annual, and <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/how-to-grow-artichokes\/\">just like Artichokes<\/a>, it will collapse if exposed to heavy frosts or snow. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All in all, with a little attention to its needs, your kale plant will be thriving in no time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group giveItARead is-horizontal is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\">Give it a read<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image readArrow\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Group-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-228\" style=\"width:25px;height:25px\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" title=\"\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"postLink has-text-color\" style=\"color:#285c26\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Propagation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Planting kale is an easy and rewarding experience, and you can grow it from seeds or <a href=\"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/how-to-clone-or-propagate-softwood-cuttings-of-deciduous-plants\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"713\">cuttings<\/a>. Choose a planting location with full sun and well-draining soil. High nitrogen content in the soil is crucial for kale to grow healthy leaves, so it&#8217;s important to add organic matter like compost to the soil mixture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plant kale seeds <strong>1\/2 inch deep, leaving at least 1 1\/2 to 2 feet between each plant. <\/strong>Cuttings can be taken in about three months once the plant is established. R<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common Pests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rhs.org.uk\/biodiversity\/aphids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aphids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dacf\/php\/gotpests\/bugs\/cabbage-worms.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabbage worm<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/yard-and-garden-insects\/flea-beetles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flea Beetles<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/veg\/leaf\/harlequin_bug.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Harlequin Bug<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"false\">\n\n<div style=\"border-color:#f1f1f1\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-panel wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-\"><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color:#f1f1f1\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Is kale easy to grow?<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator dashicons dashicons-arrow-right-alt2 open\"><\/span><\/div><div style=\"height:;padding-top:;padding-bottom:\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\">\n<p><strong>Planting kale is an easy and rewarding experience, and you can grow it from seeds or cuttings. <\/strong>Choose a planting location with full sun and well-draining soil. High nitrogen content in the soil is crucial for kale to grow healthy leaves, so it&#8217;s important to add organic matter like compost to the soil mixture.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\"><strong>What kale is good for?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\">\n\n<p>Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables out there, making it a fantastic addition to any healthy diet. <strong>Not only is it low in calories, but it&#8217;s also packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In fact, kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as a variety of other important nutrients, like calcium, potassium, and iron.<\/strong> Whether you eat it raw in a salad or cooked in a tasty stir-fry, incorporating kale into your meals is a delicious way to give your body a powerful dose of nutrition.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\"><strong>Is it OK to eat kale every day?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\">\n\n<p><strong>Kale is undoubtedly a healthy and nutritious vegetable, but to get a wide variety of nutrients, it&#8217;s recommended to consume a diverse range of fruits and vegetables.<\/strong> You can certainly include kale in your daily diet, but it&#8217;s essential to balance it out with other veggies to ensure that you get a well-rounded mix of nutrients.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n                <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\"\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\" tabindex=\"0\">\n                    <p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\"><strong>Where does kale grow best?<\/strong><\/p><div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span>\n                    <\/div><\/div><div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-f9576cdb-3c8a-4a31-bc04-d1da525bb2b8\">\n\n<p><strong>Kale thrives in areas with cool temperatures and enjoys soaking up full sun to partial shade, but don&#8217;t worry if you don&#8217;t have an outdoor garden &#8211; kale can also be grown indoors with proper lighting.<\/strong> The plant is partial to fertile soil with high organic matter content and good drainage, and it thrives in soil with a slightly acidic pH.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It may look like cabbage, but Kale (Brassica oleracea) has its own unique features that set it apart. Unlike regular cabbage, kale doesn&#8217;t form a tightly packed head, making it a member of the cooking greens category along with collards, mustard, and Swiss chard. One of the coolest things about kale is that it comes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[77],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Kale-plant.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"balint_admin","author_link":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/author\/balint_admin\/"},"authors":[{"term_id":77,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"balint_admin","display_name":"balint_admin","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4fd3cc71853fc4304b7e295fdb48ee22?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2484"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2484"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3036,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2484\/revisions\/3036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2484"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plantpropagation.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}