Kale is a nutrient-rich, leafy vegetable that you can grow indoors all year round. Germinate your kale seeds in a tray and replant kale seedlings into larger pots once they grow. Make sure to provide your kale plants with lots of moisture and light to help them thrive.
Can you grow kale indoors year round?
Kale (Brassica oleracea) is a fast growing salad vegetable that is easy to grow, even for beginner gardeners. Kale plants grow best in cool weather when planted outdoors but indoors you can grow them all year round.
Does kale grow well in pots?
You don’t even need a backyard; kale grows great in containers, too, like this Dura Cotta Planter Bowl. Just make sure your pot has at least a 12-inch diameter and use well-draining potting mix. Here’s how to grow your own kale, whether you’re planting directly into the ground or using a container garden.
Does kale need a lot of sun?
Kale grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade as well. Plants that receive fewer than 6 hours of sun daily will not be as stocky or leafy as those that get ample sun, but they will still be plenty edible!
Is kale an indoor plant?
Kale grows equally well in pots, garden soil, raised garden beds, and other containers. Kale can grow indoors as long as you have adequate lighting. Soil that’s rich in organic matter and has sharp drainage is ideal, and the planting site also should get ample sunlight.
How often do you water indoor kale?
Sow seeds ½ inch deep, about 6 inches apart. Water the kale each time the soil dries out. Keeping the soil moist is especially important when the plants are still quite young.
Is kale a cut and come again plant?
Harvesting: Kale is a frost-hardy cut-and-come-again plant. Young leaves can be picked from autumn to mid-spring. Remove leaves with a sharp knife as required (mature or yellowing leaves won’t have the same bite).
Where should you not plant kale?
You should also avoid planting kale near other members of the brassica family. Keep vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and collards away from kale. Brassica plants that grow together encourage pests that attack one plant species to attack the other brassicas as well.
How long will kale plants live?
2-year
A biennial (2-year) plant, kale produces leaves in the first year, and then, in the next year (or sometimes late in the first year), it will form a flower stalk. The stalk forms flowers and then seeds. Once the seeds mature, the plant dies.
Can I grow kale in my kitchen?
Grow kale indoors in a sunny windowsill or sunroom
If you don’t have a grow light setup, you can still plant kale seeds indoors. Find your sunniest window and choose a spot on the windowsill or a nearby shelf.
Should you water kale everyday?
Once your seeds have germinated and have reached 2-3 inches, you’ll be ready to plant your kale. After planting, you need to water daily. The best times of day to water are early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
How do you pick kale so it keeps growing?
On a kale plant, this is the central portion of the plant where stems converge and new growth emerges. To allow new growth, cut the stems above the growth point. To do this, cut just below where the stem connects to the larger leaves. This will leave the smaller ones intact so the plant can continue growing.
What leafy greens can be grown indoors?
Leafy green lettuce, mesclun mix, spinach, arugula, kale and other greens are suitable for growing in containers. And if you have a favorite herb you enjoy in your salads, note that many herbs, such as chives, parsley and mint, will grow happily indoors as well.
Do kale plants keep producing?
Kale is programmed to continue to produce leaves for some time. If you cut the stems or root, you’ll damage the plant and either stall or destroy any potential new growth. Instead, cut at the base of the leaves you want to pick in one session and leave everything else alone (new growth, stems, and roots included).
Can you eat all of the kale plant?
Those tiny flower buds that appear on your kale plants at the end of the season don’t necessarily mean the end of your crop. In fact, just the opposite: the florets are a bonus harvest you can eat, and they turn even sweeter if you’ve had frost.
What does Overwatered kale look like?
Stunted slow growth accompanied by yellowing leaves is also a symptom. Leaves falling off often accompanies this symptom. If your plants have yellowing leaves and old leaves, as well as new leaves that are falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.
How do you care for potted kale?
Care for Container Grown Kale
Keep the kale watered with 1-1 ½ inches (2.5-3 cm.) of water per week; the soil should be moist down to an inch (2.5 cm.) into the soil. Since potted plants dry out faster than those in the garden, you may need to water container-grown kale more often during hot, dry periods.
Does kale like hot sun?
In temperate areas, all three varieties of kale like full sun. But in hotter regions, part shade will assist its growth.
Can kale survive winter?
Certain crops such as broccoli, cabbage, claytonia, kale, and spinach can easily survive through the winter without any protection. Other crops like arugula, leeks and lettuce often die when unprotected during periods of extreme winter cold.
Do I cut back kale for the winter?
You don’t need to prune kale. However, there are some situations when it’s warranted, such as when the upper leaves are infested with pests and it’s too late in the season to plant more kale seeds. It’s also a good way to get more growth out of container-grown kale.
Do kale plants spread?
Kale Spacing Needs
Most varieties are at least two feet tall, although some can grow up to three feet. Some varieties will grow up to two feet in width. The more room kale has to spread out in, the bigger the plant will get. It will also be healthier, since more room means more airflow.