kale question please??????
tumblingtomatoes
14 years ago
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Newbie Questions (Kale, Cucumbers, Corn, Potatoes)
Comments (7)Find out your last frost date, then look at the seed packets. It will tell you when to plant in reference to your last frost date. For example, cucumbers packets sometimes say "Plant out starting 1-2 weeks after last frost" or "after soil has warmed to 68 degrees". Well, those two things don't necessarily happen at the same time. Just because you've had a last frost doesn't mean the soil is going to be 68 degrees 1-2 weeks later. That's why I also recommend using your local extension service and your local master gardeners. Your signature says you're in Illinois so you can start here: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/vegguide/ or here: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/veggies. You might also consider going back to your local garden store and getting more information from them. I've found my local garden shop to be very helpful. There are often people there who've been gardening in your area for years and years and have seen it all. That said, I want to make a few comments about your specific questions. - I would recommend starting your cucumbers indoors now so they can start growing before you put them outside after it warms up. You can certainly start them outdoors in a few weeks, but then you lose some growth time. - You can plant the kale seeds directly outdoors now. I've found kale to be quite tolerant of cold and heat (unlike some other cole vegetables). But even if it doesn't have time to mature before it gets too warm, you can harvest smaller leaves (which are very tender and yummy). - For your potatoes (yay for Yukon Gold - great choice!), it depends on your soil. If you have a loose, well drained soil then you can plant them directly in the ground. Otherwise raised beds are good. I don't recommend containers or potato towers, as I've never gotten them to produce much. I'm a big believer in planting stuff directly into the ground, and I have 100% clay soil in my yard! You're in Illinois, so chances are your soil is a lot better than that....See MoreKale question
Comments (6)Back to the original question, yes, kale will do that resprouting thing along with lots of other plants, including celery and green onions. Kales in socal can look like they've nearly died in summer and then suddenly perk up and start putting out juicy new leaves over the winter. Cutting back flowering stalks before they flower encourages vegetative growth....See Morekale questions
Comments (18)Maybe one's view of when to harvest depends on one's climate. For me Kale is a hardy winter vegetable which I don't sow until June and don't start using until at least November. My pictures were taken in mid-November last year. Those plants are just now bolting to flower and I am still using them. Kale self seeds, so for baby kale I don't use my main plants, just the ones I weed out. If the OP eats his babies that's the end of the kale. If he thins and takes a few leaves it will keep going for months if his climate is conducive....See MoreLacinato Kale Question
Comments (13)Given the problems I have babying it here I have a lot of difficulty believing kale making it through summer in Phoenix (or in much of Texas for that matter) in an edible condition. But it all depends on the work and care you want to put into it. Limited sun exposure, lower air temps, lots of water, good pest control, and shaded when possible. I did mention that summer-grown is more bitter but maybe the Phoenix guy likes it that way. Summering it in zone 5 is one thing, in Texas it is all together different. But try it and see if you like it and then plant it in the Fall for the best results. It is very winter-hardy as farmerdill said and only a prolonged deep freeze in mid-January does mine in. Dave...See More
tumblingtomatoes
14 years agofishead199
14 years agoan_ill-mannered_ache
14 years agotumblingtomatoes
14 years agoscents_from_heaven
14 years agocarolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
14 years agoscents_from_heaven
14 years agotumblingtomatoes
14 years ago
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