If you’re interested in growing vegetables in the fall and in eating in season, consider kale. Not only will kale actually grow in snow, it’s also high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C and lutein.
Kale, botanically referred to as Brassica oleracea, is a form of cabbage. It has been in cultivation for many centuries and is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most domesticated forms. During World War II kale was an important plant in England’s “Dig for Victory” campaign because it was easy to grow and provided essential nutrients that were missing from most diets due to rationing.
In addition to the typical green kales that are grown to eat, in the fall it is also common to see ornamental kales that have white, red, pink and blue leaves. The “ornamental cabbage” is actually very edible kales as long as they have not been treated with any pesticides. Kale is also used as a common garnish.
Kale can be direct seeded in the fall or winter. Seeds should be sown about a half inch deep and three inches apart in rows that are one and half to two feet apart.
Full sun to part shade in well-draining soil is excellent for kale. Regular moisture is also important for kale to produce well. Be prepared to provide supplemental moisture, especially early in the fall planting season when it can be dry.
Seedlings should be thinned to 12 inches apart when they are several inches tall.
Kale can be harvested about 55 days after planting. Like leaf lettuce, leaves of kale can be harvested as needed, leaving part of the plant to continue to grow.
There are several types of kale leaves — curly leaved, plain leaved and leaf and spear (a cross between curly leaved and plain leaved kale). Kale can still be used after freezing, and the flavor of kale is actually known to improve after being exposed to a frost.
Kale is used in soups, stews and as a vegetable side dish cooked many ways throughout the world. In fact, in northwestern Germany there are “kale tours” during the fall and winter months where large quantities of kale, sausage and schnapps are consumed and kale kings and queens are crowned.
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