What To Know
- Before transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions by placing them in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day over a week.
- Place the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Kale is a heavy feeder, so fertilize your plants every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.
Are you looking for a vibrant, nutritious addition to your garden? Look no further than blue curled scotch kale! This stunning variety is not only visually enticing with its deep blue-green, crinkled leaves, but also incredibly flavorful and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. If you’re wondering how to grow blue curled scotch kale, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from seed selection to harvesting, ensuring a bountiful harvest of this delicious leafy green.
Understanding Blue Curled Scotch Kale
Blue curled scotch kale, also known as “Nero di Toscana,” is a popular variety of kale known for its distinctive curly, deeply colored leaves. This heirloom kale is a cold-hardy biennial, meaning it grows best in cooler temperatures and can live for two years. It’s a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed raw in salads, sauteed, roasted, or even added to smoothies.
Choosing the Right Location and Soil
Blue curled scotch kale thrives in full sun to partial shade. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. The ideal soil for growing kale is rich, loose, and well-draining. It prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Before planting, amend your soil with compost or aged manure to improve its fertility and drainage.
Starting from Seed
Starting blue curled scotch kale from seed is the most common and cost-effective method. Here’s how to get started:
1. Start indoors: Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use seed starting trays or pots filled with seed starting mix. Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep and space them 1 inch apart.
2. Keep moist: Water the seeds regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Cover the seed tray with a plastic dome or wrap to maintain humidity.
3. Provide light: Place the seed tray in a sunny location or under grow lights.
4. Thin seedlings: Once seedlings have developed two true leaves, thin them out, leaving the strongest seedling in each cell or pot.
5. Hardening off: Before transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions by placing them in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day over a week. This process, known as hardening off, helps them adjust to the sun, wind, and temperature changes.
Transplanting Outdoors
Once the weather warms up and the risk of frost has passed, it’s time to transplant your kale seedlings outdoors.
1. Prepare the bed: Dig a planting hole that’s twice the width and depth of the seedling’s root ball. Amend the soil with compost or aged manure.
2. Space properly: Space your kale plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for adequate growth.
3. Transplant carefully: Gently remove the seedling from its container, being careful not to disturb the roots. Place the seedling in the hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the root ball is level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Your Kale Plants
Once your kale plants are established, they require minimal care. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Watering: Water your kale plants regularly, especially during dry spells. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
2. Fertilizing: Kale is a heavy feeder, so fertilize your plants every 4-6 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer.
3. Weeding: Keep your kale bed free of weeds, which compete with your plants for nutrients and water.
4. Pest control: Kale is susceptible to pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs. Monitor your plants regularly and take appropriate measures to control pest infestations. You can use natural methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil, or handpick pests from your plants.
Harvesting Your Blue Curled Scotch Kale
One of the best things about growing blue curled scotch kale is its ability to be harvested continuously.
1. Harvesting leaves: Harvest individual leaves or entire clusters of leaves when they’re about 6-8 inches tall. You can harvest leaves throughout the growing season.
2. Harvesting for storage: If you want to store your kale for later use, harvest the entire plant when it’s about 12-18 inches tall. Cut the leaves close to the ground.
3. Storage: Wash and dry your kale leaves thoroughly. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.
Enjoying Your Harvested Kale
Blue curled scotch kale is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in numerous ways. Here are some ideas:
- Salads: Add raw kale leaves to salads for a boost of flavor and texture.
- Sautéed: Sauté kale with garlic, olive oil, and your favorite spices for a delicious side dish.
- Roasted: Roast kale with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a crispy and flavorful treat.
- Smoothies: Blend kale into smoothies for a healthy and nutritious beverage.
Beyond the Harvest: Enjoying the Benefits
Beyond its delicious taste, blue curled scotch kale offers a plethora of health benefits. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutritional powerhouse. It’s a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, and fiber.
The Final Chapter: A Kale-ful Journey
Growing blue curled scotch kale is a rewarding experience that brings the beauty of nature and the joy of homegrown produce to your table. From its stunning deep blue-green leaves to its versatility in the kitchen, it’s a vegetable that deserves a place in your garden. So, embrace the journey, follow these steps, and enjoy the delicious and nutritious rewards of your hard work.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: When is the best time to plant blue curled scotch kale?
A: The best time to plant blue curled scotch kale is in the early spring or late summer. However, you can also sow seeds indoors in the winter and transplant them outdoors once the weather warms up.
Q: How often should I water my kale plants?
A: Water your kale plants regularly, especially during dry spells. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Check the soil moisture with your finger, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Q: How do I prevent pests from damaging my kale plants?
A: Monitor your plants regularly for signs of pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs. You can use natural methods like insecticidal soap or neem oil, or handpick pests from your plants. You can also use row covers to protect your plants from pests.
Q: Can I grow blue curled scotch kale in containers?
A: Yes, you can grow blue curled scotch kale in containers. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches wide and deep. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix and ensure it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
