Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is part of the cabbage family.
It is a cool weather crop that can be harvested in the fall or winter.
However when it’s time to harvest it is important to know how to harvest kale so it keeps growing.
Kale is used in a variety of dishes. When cooked, kale has a slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with other strong flavors. Kale can be sautéed, steamed, or used in soups and stews. Kale is also a good source of vitamins A, C, and K.
Kale is a superfood that is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It is easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times if done correctly.
This article offers some tips on how to harvest kale so it keeps growing.
Tips On How To Harvest Kale So It Keeps Growing
1 .Harvest When Leaves Are About The Size Of Your Palm
Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is packed with nutrients. It is a cool weather crop that thrives in the fall and winter months.
When it comes to harvesting kale, timing is everything. You want to wait until the leaves are about the size of your palm before cutting them.
Kale can be harvested when the leaves are mature, which is typically around 60 days after planting.
2. Cut Along The Base To Harvest
When it comes to kale, you want to make sure you are cutting along the base. This will help ensure that your kale keeps growing.
Cut along the base of the plant about 2 inches above the soil line. This will allow new leaves to continue to grow.
You can also do this by holding the leaf in one hand and simply cut off along the base near the stem using pruning shears.
3. Don’t Cut The Root Of The Plant
Kale is a nutrient-rich leafy green that can be harvested throughout the growing season. To ensure a continuous supply of kale, it is important to not cut the root of the plant. Doing so will kill the plant and prevent it from regrowing.
When harvesting kale, carefully remove each leaf, starting at the bottom of the plant and working your way up.
Be sure to leave a few leaves near the top of the plant so that it can continue to photosynthesize and produce new growth. With proper care, kale plants can provide fresh greens for many months.
4. Pick The Largest And Oldest Leaves First
As you harvest your kale, be sure to pick the largest and oldest leaves first. This will ensure that the plant keeps growing and producing new leaves.
If you only harvest the small, young leaves, the plant will eventually stop growing. So, make sure to always pick the biggest and oldest leaves first.
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5. Avoid Picking The Terminal Bud
When harvesting kale, it is important to avoid picking the terminal bud. The terminal bud is located at the end of the stem and is responsible for the plant’s growth. If this bud is removed, the plant will stop growing and produce smaller leaves.
When harvesting kale, cut the leaves from the stem using sharp scissors or a knife. Be sure to leave enough of the stem attached to the leaves so that the plant can continue to grow.
6. Don’t Touch The Central Leaves
If you’re looking to keep your kale plants alive and thriving during harves, it’s important to avoid touching the central leaves.
The central leaves are responsible for producing the plant’s food, so if you damage them, you’ll end up harming the plant.
Instead, focus on the outer leaves when you’re harvesting. These are the ones that aren’t as vital to the plant’s survival, so you can safely remove them without doing any damage.
7. Repeat Outer Leaf Removal Every Week
When harvesting kale, it is important to remove the outer leaves first. These leaves are typically tough and bitter, and will not provide as much nutrition as the inner leaves.
Every week, remove the outer leaves of your kale plants so that new, tender leaves can continue to grow. Not only will this ensure that you have a constant supply of fresh kale, but it will also help to keep your plants healthy and productive.
8. Remove Spotted/ Yellow Leaves
As the weather gets colder, it’s important to remove any spotted or yellow leaves from your kale plants. These leaves are more susceptible to disease and can cause the plant to become stunted.
By removing them, you’ll encourage the plant to keep growing and produce healthy, green leaves.
To remove spotted or yellow leaves, simply cut them off at the base of the plant. Be sure to disinfect your pruning shears between cuts to prevent the spread of disease.
You can also pull the leaves off by hand if they’re not too tightly attached. After removing the leaves, dispose of them in your compost bin or trash can.
9. Protect Your Plants from the Weather
Harvest kale when the weather is cool and dry, if possible. If you must harvest in hot, humid weather, do so in the morning before the plants have a chance to wilt in the heat.
To protect your plants from the weather, harvest kale early in the day before it gets too hot. If possible, wait for a cool or dry day to harvest. Hot, humid weather can cause the plants to wilt and make them more susceptible to pests and disease.
FAQ
Can you eat apples that have fallen?
Although it may be tempting to use the apples so that they don’t go to waste, they shouldn’t be used for fresh eating, baking, or the creation of juice or cider because patulin may be present.
Will fallen apples ripen?
Apples, in contrast to some fruits, continue to ripen long after being plucked from the tree. The texture of the fruit is affected by this ripening or over-ripening, not the flavour.
Why do apples fall off the tree before they are ripe?
A tree will frequently abort its fruit at a stressful time in order to save energy.
What animals eat fallen apples?
Apples offer a source of late-season sugar for butterflies, wasps, ants, and other invertebrates, as well as for mammals including badgers, hedgehogs, wood mice, and voles.
What do orchards do with apples on the ground?
Apples that fall to the ground are still useful. Farmers frequently visit to harvest apple drops for livestock feeding. If apples are not collected, they are mowed at the end of the growing season and contribute to fertilizing the crop the next year.
How do you ripen apples after they are picked?
The apples begin to mature after you take them out of the cold and allow them to be exposed to ethylene.
How best to store apples after picking?
30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 to 95 percent relative humidity are the best storage conditions.
Should I pick up fallen fruit?
Additionally, you don’t want to spread brown rot spores about your tree, since this could cause an infection the next year. Therefore, it’s crucial to gather the fruit and completely clear the area of any fallen fruit.
Conclusion
As you can see, kale is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be harvested in a way that it keeps growing.
By following the tips in this article, you can ensure that your kale plants will keep growing and producing food for you throughout the season. So get out there and start harvesting your own kale today.
