Kale
Kale is a cool season crop that will overwinter well, in fact the flavor will improve after a frost. It can also be planted in early spring to be harvested in the summer.
If you have a shady area (4 hours of sun) in your garden, this plant will do well, especially in the summer months.
This vegetable matures quickly, is full of nutrients and can be eaten raw or cooked. It can be harvested as a whole plant or by cutting off lower leaves as you need them.
Botanical Family - Brassicaeae/Mustard Family
Location - Sunny, well drained.
Soil - Rich, fertile loam with neutral pH (6.5-6.8).
Soil Preparation - Grows well after a green manure crop. Dig in 3 inches of compost or aged manure and lime before planting.
Tips for planting Kale:
There are several kale varieties. Curly, green, red, Lacinto are growing in this bed.Seed Info -
Planting times - Sow late May; transplant at 4 weeks. Sow mid June to mid July for fall planting.
Planting Instruction - Like cool temperatures. Can be direct seeded or started as transplants. If direct seeding, plants will need to be thinned.
Companion Planting
- Positive effect: bean, dill, nasturtium, onion, potato, oregano, sage
- Negative effect: lettuce, tomato
Watering - Water regularly at the base of the plants; when sprinkling, the large leaves impede water from getting to the soil.
Weeding - Keep weeded while plants are small.
Disease & Insects - Club root – to prevent use rotation.
Harvest - Cut outer leaves when they are 6 inches or more in length. Once the plant starts producing smaller leaves cut the whole plant. Must be cooled quickly.
Storage - Is best stored in a sealed plastic bag or container in the refrigerator. It is best to use kale within a few days as it has a short shelf life.
Recipe
Sesame Kale
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb kale (about 1/2 bunch, 454 g)
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame seed oil
2 Tbsp (30 ml) water
1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) soy sauce
2 tsp (5 g) toasted sesame seeds
salt, optional
pepper, optional
Mince the garlic cloves. Wash the kale and shake it over your sink. It's okay if the kale remains a little wet.
Strip the leaf from the stems (you can save the stem for using in making stock or juicing). Tear the kale into bite-sized pieces.
Heat the sesame seed oil in the skillet over low-medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and saute for about 20 seconds. Add the kale to the garlic and oil, and cover the skillet with the lid.
After 1 minute, stir the contents, then re-cover the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the kale is wilted, then stir
in the soy sauce and sesame seeds. If desired, add salt and/or
pepper to taste.
