Kale is on of the hardiest vegetables, easy to grow, and tolerant of a wide range of adverse conditions. Best eaten after frost early in the year when fresh crops are scarce, but can be available from late summer on. Kale is useful for growing after an early crop such as broad beans or early peas.

Kale range in height from 12in (30cm) to3ft (90cm) or more. Leaves may be plain or curly, plain, ragged, fringed, or blistered, in plain green, purple or both.

Ideal Site- Kale does better in poorer soils than other brassicas. It does not need to grow into a large plant to produce a useful crop. Will tolerate exposed sites and some shade, but not poorly drained soils. Apply a medium-fertility soil improver, or a low-fertility soil improver plus an organic fertilizer- or plant after nitrogen fixing green manure. Do not make soil too rich; the resulting lush late growth may not be frost hardy. The ideal pH range is 6.5-7.5

Seed to Harvest- 7 weeks for the fastest growing cultivars. Will stand in good conditions for a long time, giving a long harvest period.

Cultivation- The minimum germination temperature is 45F (7C).

Sowing undercover- Sow in trays or cell packs in February for a summer crop, or May for a winter crop.

Outside- Sow thinly in a seedbed in April-May in shallow rows. Transplant 6-8 weeks later. Hanover salad, also know as Siberian kale may be sown direct as late as July or early August. Station sow 3-4 seeds and thin to 1 seedling when large enough.

Spacing- Dwarf cultivars 12-18 in. (30-45cm) Tall cultivars 24-30in (60-75cm). Some taller cultivars can be spaced 18in (45cm) apart if harvested when young.

Plant Care- Water seedlings until established.

Problems- cabbageworms, cabbage whitefly, cabbage root fly, cabbage aphid, clubroot.

Harvesting- Pick leaves as needed from mature plants, or from young plants for a quicker harvest. Kale is often tastier after a frost.

Nutrients- Kale is an excellent source of Vitamin K, A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, dietary fiber, manganese, copper, tryptophan, calcium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and folate