If it’s something you’re looking to plant
But your farming knowledge feels rather scant.
No worries for you
We’ve got a ‘how-to’
So get ready for your garden and transplant!
You’ve just stopped off at your Victoria Drive Vancity Branch, and now you’ve got your own seedling to take home to take care of. Now what?
Don’t you worry, Vancity and Fresh Roots have all the tips right here on how to grow it. If you’re looking to get out in the garden and learn more about healthy schoolyard farming – come and get involved with Fresh Roots!
How to Grow Kale
Before planting, make sure to add nutrients to your soil. You can easily do this with any compost or fertilizer – we recommend a mushroom compost that you can pick up at any garden centre.
The recommended space for planting seedlings is 12 to 15 inches apart in rows 18 inches to 24 inches apart. When you plant your seedling, be sure to set the plant deep enough in the soil to support the plant, but generally no higher than than the base of the first leaves. Remember that this is a general suggestion that helps to make sure that your plants have enough space to grow nice and big!
Harvesting
Your kale should be ready in roughly 45 days from transplanting – yay! Harvesting is easy.
You can begin to cut individual leaves off the kale when the plant is approximately 8 to 10 inches high, starting with the outside leaves first.
If you decide to harvest the entire plant, cut the stock two inches above the soil and the plant will sprout new leaves in 1 to 2 weeks.
Make sure to harvest kale leaves before they become too old and tough. If you can’t eat the kale leaves fast enough and they begin to turn brown, pull the old leaves off and compost them. This helps to create more airflow and reduces pest pressure.
You can also pick kale regularly and store it in the fridge for up to a week. If you choose to do so, keep it lightly moist and place it in a bag, but unsealed, in the crisper bin.
Eat and enjoy!