#GROWING KALE FROM SEED IN CONTAINERS HOW TO#
#GROWING KALE FROM SEED IN CONTAINERS WINDOWS#

Kale will continue to grow until temperatures get too hot (over 80☏) or too cold (below 20☏). If you do, the kale will stop growing new leaves. Never harvest kale from the top, and make sure to avoid cutting or damaging the growing bud in the middle. To harvest kale leaves, use a sharp, clean knife and cut the bottom leaves of the plant. Harvest it earlier for tender baby kale, or wait until the plant is at least two months old for larger leaves. You can start harvesting kale quite quickly, about 30 to 60 days after the seeds germinate.

#GROWING KALE FROM SEED IN CONTAINERS HOW TO#

Tuscan and Siberian kale leaves with insect damageĬlick here for more information about common greenhouse pests and how to treat them! How to harvest kale

Remove infected leaves, and spray the plants with water and baking soda solution.

#GROWING KALE FROM SEED IN CONTAINERS WINDOWS#

To prevent it, avoid overhead watering, and remember to regularly open the vents and roof windows to ensure good air circulation.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that’s common in warm, humid growing conditions.

If you find any munching on the leaves, pick them by hand and drown them in a bucket of soapy water. Set up beer traps to keep them away from your kale.

Slugs can sometimes find their way into the greenhouse.

Hose down the plants to dislodge these pests, then spray the plants with a mild insecticidal soap solution.

Aphids and whiteflies can also target your kale crop.

Check your plants regularly and pick off any caterpillars by hand, disposing of them in a bucket of soapy water.

Cabbage white butterflies are the main kale pest.

Still, here are the main pests and diseases to be aware of: It’s unlikely that your kale plants will suffer from severe pest problems, especially in the protective environment of a greenhouse. Common issues with growing kale in a greenhouse Repeat applications according to the instructions on the manufacturer’s label. Use an organic fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen, such as compost tea or liquid seaweed. You can fertilize kale once monthly after the seeds germinate or after you’ve transplanted the seedlings. This way, your crops won’t need any additional feeding for the first 3-4 weeks. For best results, amend the soil with organic matter before sowing or transplanting. Kale is a heavy feeder that needs lots of nitrogen to sustain its fast, bushy growth.

This crop is not pretentious about the soil pH, and as long as you’re within the 6.0 to 7.5 range, your plants will be fine. Plant kale in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. To prevent bolting, avoid planting kale in the greenhouse between late spring and late summer, or try to keep your greenhouse cool. It can struggle to grow in temperatures above 75☏ and will bolt or flower if exposed to temperatures above 80☏ for several days in a row. On the flip side, kale is quite heat-sensitive. In fact, exposure to a light frost can result in sweeter-tasting kale. Once established, kale is frost-hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20☏, making it an excellent crop to grow in winter. To encourage seed germination, plant kale seeds when the soil temperature is above 45☏. The ideal temperature range for growing kale is between 60☏ and 75☏. Learn how to supplement with grow lights here! Temperature Kale can also tolerate 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day (partial shade), but it will be slower to grow. If you have a freestanding greenhouse, with no trees or nearby structures to block the sun, you’ll have no problems growing this crop. That means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Growing kale from seed in containers