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Vegetable Gardening

Is second growth of kale bitter?

catherinet (5IN)

last year

The bugs got my kale this year, so I just ignored the plants.......but I did keep watering them. I'm glad I did 'cause they have put out more leaves on top of the old plants. Might they all be more bitter now? Is there any reason not to use them? Thanks.

Featured Answer

theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

last year

A stressed brassica is always going to be more bitter. As TJ said, a frost will sweeten them up some. But if they are still on the bitter side after that happens then a quick blanch in boiling water should remove the excess bitterness. Obviously they would only be useful for cooking if you do that though.

Rodney

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Comments (9)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
There is no reason not to use them. Whether they are bitter or not is for you to decide.
catherinet (5IN) thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
last year
I believe it is well understood that once brassicas flower, which they will in their second year, the leaves become noticeably bitter. As to whether to use them, that's up to your taste buds.
catherinet (5IN) thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
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vgkg Z-7 Va
last year
Try a leaf raw and you will know for sure. Supposidly kale & collards taste sweeter after being hit by a frost or two. Back when I used to grow kale I'd only grow it in the fall (sowed in late Aug here) and harvest it up until it froze solid around Jan. I still sow collards this way.
catherinet (5IN) thanked vgkg Z-7 Va
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
OP does not say these have flowered or are in their second year, just that they were eaten by pests and are now regrowing.

Are they in their second year?
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
last year
last modified: last year
My point was that if they haven't flowered, they are unlikely to be bitter. That's my experience with collards. That being said, if they have been stressed by lack of water, they may also be bitter. If these are new leaves, however, that shouldn't be the case. But it's true, in zone 5, kale won't survive a winter, so second season kale is unlikely.
catherinet (5IN) thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
catherinet (5IN)
Original Author
last year
Thanks everyone. This isn't a second year. The bugs ate all the first leaves this year. I did taste one the other day and it was a bit bitter. Would cooking help that? We're supposed to get a frost tomorrow night......would that in any way get rid of the bitterness? Life got away from me when the first leaves grew earlier in the summer, and I didn't pick them. Then the bugs ate them. They never flowered. I'm getting old and I'm still planting more than I can deal with, so unfortunately, some things go bad. I was surprised and happy when I saw these kale come back to life. :) I'm going to let these grow a little more and then see if they are edible. Thanks everyone!
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
last year
Kale will sweeten up after being hit by a few frosts.

tj
catherinet (5IN)
Original Author
last year
Thanks tsugajunkie! That's good to know!

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