How to grow kale at home 

Kale is native to eastern mediterranean countries and belongs to the Brassicas family. It is biennial that takes 2 years to complete its cycle. The leaves appear in the first year. The best time to grow kale is during early spring season. It can grow up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Kale is a good source of Vitamin A and K.

Best Conditions for Growing Kale

Kale grows best in fertile well-draining loamy soil.  The soil pH should be between 6.5 to 6.8. You can grow kale in containers as well. Kale grows best when temperatures are between 15 to 18 °C (60 to 65°F). Consistent watering is required to keep the soil moist. You can also mulch to keep the soil moist. They require full sunlight to partial shade to grow. Requires high levels of nitrogen to grow well.

How to grow kale at home

You can start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep. Sow 2 to 3 seeds in a single cell of the seed tray. Once the seeds germinate remove the weak seedlings and keep the stronger ones. It can take up to 10 days for kale to germinate. Once the seedlings have grown 5 to 6 inches tall you can transplant them. Kale can be transplanted 3 weeks before the last frost date. Make sure there is a spacing of 12 inches between kale. Kale can go dormant during the winter and start to grow back in the spring.

Grow kale in container that is 12 inches deep and wide. Take a potting mix 60% compost, 20 perlite, 10% vermiculite and 10% sand. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep. When seedlings germinate you can remove the weak seedlings. You can grow one to two kale plants in a container.
Kale grown in containers can be fertilised once in 3 weeks.

It can take about 3 months for kale to be harvested from seed.

Common pests and diseases of Kale

Aphids, cabbage worms, cutworms, flea beetles and slugs are some of the pests that attack your kale plants. Using row covers is one way to protect your plants from pests. Using neem oil is another way to control these pests.

Read more:

1. How to grow cauliflower at home.
2. How to grow cabbage at home.
3. Best fall vegetables to grow.
4. Best flowers to grow in the fall season.