starting kale

[carolm 1]

Going to try kale this year and want start the first crop in spring. Can I winter sow some seeds or do I need to make space indoors for a flat?

[Margaret Thele 16]

It's warm enough to sow into the ground now I would think...Kale is pretty hardy if we get a cold snap.

[carolm 1]

Great! I'll give it a try and report back.

[Janet Macunovich 32]

I've been told that the SMALLER the kale is at transplant time the better the crop. Which kind of sounds like it may be better to sow them out doors than in.

[carolm 1]

I did end up sowing some dwarf siberian kale during the warm spell a few weeks ago. Came up just fine and seemed to weather the few days of frost. Slow growing for now, but I suspect it'll pick up where it left off when it warms a bit more.

[Janet Macunovich 32]

So good to know how it came out. Except now I'm envious, and sorry we didn't go ahead and start peas and kale already!

[carolm 1]

Don't feel too bad. The kale seems to have stalled after getting its secondary leaves. Wonder if the soil was too cool early on and stunted its growth. Plus the squirrels rummaging around in that planter doesn't help either.

[gardenlady250 1]

What is the growing season for kale?  Does it take a while to mature?  Can you get multiple cuttings if you sow the seeds in April?

[Margaret Thele 16]

I'd sow the seeds as soon as you can work the ground - probably early April. Have some in an indoor garden bed now and multiple cuttings are the norm. I take baby greens first when the leaves are tender - as they age they require more cooking. A short season crop that likes to grow cool. Start one crop in early spring and another in Aug-Sept for a fall/early winter harvest. Eat well!

[Queen Moira 0]

Have any of you tried the Zuppa Tuscana at Olive Garden? After having that you will want to get your kale into the veggie garden and make a soup that has super food in the list of ingredients.