Harvesting Kale for Continuous Growth: 12 Expert Strategies to Employ
Revamped Guide:
Short and Sweet Kale Harvesting
Are you ready to pluck and munch on your very own homegrown kale? Here's a nifty guide on how to harvest your kale plant the proper way, ensuring that it keeps on churning out those luscious greens for your dining pleasure. So grab your gardening gear and dive right in!
Growing cool-weather kale leaves is a crowd-pleaser among families, dieters, green-thumbs, and more. A farm-fresh kale dish is a scrumptious treat, and with a few gardening pointers, you'll be filling up your plate with kale in no time!
Pro tips for successful kale harvest
Planting the seeds and growing your kale is just the beginning of the journey. Now it's time to pick those gorgeous, glowing leaves and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are a dozen quick and easy pro tips on how to harvest your kale like a gardening guru.
1. Spot the Perfect Leaves
Take care to harvest the largest and oldest leaves, usually found at the base of the plant. These are closest to going bitter, so removing them first will guarantee your kale plants don't bolt and will keep churning out new growth like a machine!
2. Snip 'Em Off
Harvesting kale is a cinch! Simply grasp the leaf in one hand and snip off along the base near the stem using pruning shears. Be sure to avoid cutting the root of the plant.
3. Stem Less Removal
Don't snip the roots or stems! Kale is a clever plant that's been programmed to keep producing leaves for your snacking pleasure. Cutting the stems will damage the plant and may either stall or halt any new growth. Instead, snip only the leaves you plan to pick off in one sitting and leave the rest alone.
4. Take the Oldest First
The oldest leaves are, logically, the largest. Snip off the old leaves first to encourage new growth and keep that kale fest going strong.
5. avoid the Top Bud
Keen eyes required! Make sure to avoid picking the terminal bud at the top center of the plant. This bud is precious and keeps the plant productive for an extended period, constantly producing new leaves for your munching pleasure.
6. Make a Fistful
When harvesting, pick about one fistful of leaves per go. Don't be shy, though, if you're hosting a kalebonanza and need more leaves to whip up a delicious kale extravaganza. It'll grow back before you can say "daily kale consumption"!
7. Keep Picking
Regularly harvest your kale garden! If you let the leaves die on the plant, the plant may feel downhearted and start to falter. Return every 5-7 days to reap your new harvest and be sure to prune dead leaves every time you harvest.
8. Microgreens Extravaganza
As you're plucking your lovely kale leaves, don't forget to pick the microgreens (baby leaves) as well. Some of us think they're even tastier than mature kale leaves. However, err on the side of patience and don't pick too many. Over-harvesting immature leaves will crush its soul and put a damper on the harvest.
9. Sweet After the First Frost
If you're growing kale in the fall, here's a brilliant pro tip: wait until after the first frost to harvest! A frosty nip makes those kale leaves oh-so sweet and tender. Simply harvest parts of your kale garden before the first frost and finish off after. You'll be able to taste the difference - we guarantee it.
10. Dispose of Sick Leaves
Always check your kale plants for yellow or spotted leaves before harvesting. These are the sickly leaves that need to go straight into the compost bin. Leaving sick leaves on the plant will take precious energy away from healthy leaves and damage the plant.
11. Take Care of Your Kale in the Cold
In colder weather, help your kale plant survive by shielding it from the elements with a row cover, hoop house, or cold frame. If you haven't got those on hand, simply drape a tarp over the kale plant and secure it with something heavy, like rocks.
12. Proper Storage
Though it won't technically extend your harvest, storing your kale leaves properly keeps them fresh and crisp for a couple of weeks. Be sure to consume your kale harvest within two weeks of cutting your leaves off the plant. For the perfect storage procedure, see the section below.
Storing Your Kale Like a Pro
After you've harvested your kale leaves, take a few simple steps to store them properly so they stay fresh and crisp.
1. Wash Them Well
Give your harvested leaves a thorough wash with cold water to get rid of any dirt or debris. Avoid using hot water, as it will make the leaves wilt.
2. Remove the Stems
Remove the stems now, unless you plan to eat them. This is optional, but it will help the leaves retain their crispness.
3. Dry Them Thoroughly
Pat the leaves dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, then let them air-dry for 10 minutes. If you store the leaves while they're still wet, they'll wilt and get slimy.
4. Store in a Plastic Bag
Place leaves in a resealable plastic bag, along with a paper towel for extra absorption. Squeeze as much air out of the plastic bag as possible to minimize spoilage and keep your kale crispy.
5. Keep Them Cool
Store your bagged kale in the refrigerator in the crisper drawer. This kept your kale fresh and delicious for up to two weeks. Once the leaves wilt or yellow, discard them and enjoy fresh kale leaves again!
Now that you know how to harvest and store your homegrown kale like a pro, you'll never go back to store-bought again! Happy kale-ing!
Sources:
[1] https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/how-to-grow-kale-zbczz210zgwz
[2] https://extension.psu.edu/pennstateextension/files/pdffiles/pubs/agcrops/gs2158.pdf
[3] <https://www.greenveg.co.nz/growing-guides/kale/#:~:text=Succession%20planting%20is%20planting%20new,growth%20into%20late%20autumn%20too.)
[4] https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/buy-cook/how-to-cut-kale
[5] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/kale/how-long-do-kale-plants-take-to-grow.htm
To optimize your 'home-and-garden' lifestyle, consider growing a kale plant and adopting some gardening techniques. As kale is a cool-weather crop, it thrives in many homes, providing you with a steady supply of 'lifestyle' enhancing greens. After mastering kale planting, keenly focus on 'gardening' to harvest your kale leaves effectively. A well-timed and efficient approach to kale harvest ensures that your plant produces new leaves and continues to supply your meals with delicious greens.
