Saving Kale Seeds - Learn How To Harvest Kale Seeds

Cut the stalks at the bottom of the plant. Wait at least 2 days after it rains to harvest your seed pods or you risk mold. Gently place the kale stalks in a brown paper bag. Do this carefully or you risk splitting open seed pods and having kale seeds spill all over your kitchen counter.

Can you direct sow kale seeds?

Kale can be direct seeded in the garden or started indoors and transplanted into the garden. You can direct seed in cold climates as soon as the soil temperature is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you soak kale seeds before planting?

you're set back. Soaking seeds for 24 hours BEFORE planting can significantly cut down on germination time–and overall effort. To soak seeds, just place them in a cup of water for about 24 hours. Some people recommend starting with hot water and then just allowing it to cool as the seed soaks.

How do you harvest kale so it grows back?

On a kale plant, this is the central portion of the plant where stems converge and new growth emerges. To allow new growth, cut the stems above the growth point. To do this, cut just below where the stem connects to the larger leaves. This will leave the smaller ones intact so the plant can continue growing.

How many seeds does it take to grow kale?

Sow 2 seeds per cell in 50- to 72-cell plug flats, 3–4 seeds/in. in 20-row flats, or in outdoor beds ¼" deep. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks. If possible keep soil temperature over 75°F (24°C) until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F (16°C).

Does Kale come back every year?

Kale is a biennial that many people grow as an annual, advises Cornell University. Some varieties of kale are perennial plants that come back year after year.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. ...
Pot with seed-starting mix. ...
Make sure your containers have drainage holes. ...
Plant seeds at the proper depth. ...
After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. ...
Keep seed-starting mix moist. ...
As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.

How do you germinate kale seeds?

Kale Sowing and Planting Tips

Start kale indoors 10 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost; sow seed in early spring or late summer or a fall or winter crop. Sow seed ¼ to ½ inch (6-13mm) deep. Sow seeds 4 inches (10cm) apart; later thin seedlings to 16 to 18 inches (40-45cm) apart; use the thinnings in salads.

How often do you water kale seeds?

Kale is a fast grower, so keep the soil moist by giving it 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week.

What can you not plant with kale?

Kale (Brassica oleracea) is a leafy green vegetable and member of the cabbage family. Varieties include lacinato, red Russian, and dinosaur kale. Avoid planting kale with other brassicas (like broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and Swiss chard), as they can fall prey to the same pests and diseases.

Does Kale regrow after cutting?

If you harvest kale correctly, the plant will continue to grow and produce leaves. ... If you cut the plant off at the top or harvest the smaller leaves growing in the center, it is very likely that you will kill the plant. You need to leave that center area at the top of the stem for the plant to keep on producing.

Does Kale regrow after picking?

So long as you continue to harvest in this fashion, the plant will continue to produce new leaves from the top as it grows taller. But if you harvest the leaves from the top, they you will stunt the plants growth!

How long do kale plants last?

So How Long Does a Kale Plant Live? Normally Kale is biennial, so it will only live for two years. But there are Kale variants, that can live more than two years like Tree Kale for example.

Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

When should I plant kale seeds?

Kale seeds can be started indoors or sown directly in the garden.

For an early summer harvest, direct-sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil is workable in the spring. ...
In early spring, young kale plants can be set out in the garden 3 to 5 weeks before the last spring frost date.

Can Kale survive winter?

Kale thrives in mild winters, but can also produce sweet, tender leaves long into a cold winter if the plants are protected with row cover or are planted in an unheated greenhouse.

What is the cheapest way to start seeds indoors?

Use Yoplait Kids Plastic Cups/ or any other item in your kitchen to start your seeds indoors. Use Plastic wrap over each of your homemade containers until your seed sprouts to keep in the warmth. Use Seed Starting Soil Mix– it's lighter. The other stuff may work or it may not.

What do I do after my seeds sprout?

Once the seeds have sprouted, remove the cover. When the seedlings are young, you may want to re-cover them for a few hours a day to keep them from drying out. Over many years of growing my own plants, one thing that really helped me out was using a turkey baster to water the young seedlings.

Do seeds germinate better in the dark?

Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don't confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.

What temperature do kale seeds germinate?

The ideal temperature range for kale seed germination is 45° to 85°F; at these temperatures your kale seeds will germinate in about 4-7 days.

How big should kale seedlings be before transplanting?

When the plant is about 22cm / 9in high and four leaves have developed (about 6 weeks after sowing) transplant them to their final positions. Seeded or transplanted kale should be spaced 6 inches between plants in the row with rows 1 foot apart.