Kale is a beloved leafy green known for its nutrient-packed leaves and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures, making it the perfect crop to grow during the fall season.
However, growing kale successfully isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Many gardeners, both beginners and experienced, can make mistakes that negatively impact their kale crop, leading to poor yields, pest infestations, or stunted growth.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most common mistakes gardeners make when growing kale and offer 10 essential tips to help you achieve a bountiful harvest this fall.
Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Kale Harvest
1. Planting Kale Too Late in the Season
Timing is everything when it comes to growing kale. Many gardeners plant kale too late in the season, which can result in stunted growth or poor yields.
Kale prefers cooler temperatures, so planting it when the weather is too warm can lead to bitterness and stress for the plant.
How to Avoid It: Start your kale seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost date or sow seeds directly in the garden 2-4 weeks before the first frost.
This will ensure your kale matures during cooler weather, resulting in a sweeter and more flavorful crop.
2. Choosing the Wrong Location
Kale needs plenty of sunlight to grow well, but too much direct sun, especially in warmer climates, can cause the leaves to wilt or become bitter.
On the other hand, planting kale in too much shade can lead to leggy, weak plants with fewer leaves.
How to Avoid It: Choose a spot in your garden that receives partial shade to full sun. In hot climates, aim for a location with morning sun and afternoon shade to protect your kale from the harshest sunlight.
3. Planting in Poor Soil
Kale is a heavy feeder and requires nutrient-rich soil to produce healthy, tender leaves.
Planting kale in poor, compacted, or nutrient-deficient soil can lead to yellowing leaves, slow growth, and susceptibility to diseases.
How to Avoid It: Before planting, amend your soil with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to improve fertility and drainage.
Kale prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0, so test your soil and adjust if necessary.
4. Overcrowding Plants
Kale plants need space to spread their leaves and grow strong. Overcrowding can restrict airflow, leading to increased risk of fungal diseases and poor growth.
How to Avoid It: Space your kale plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart. If starting from seed, thin seedlings to the correct spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves.
5. Inconsistent Watering
Kale prefers consistently moist soil. Inconsistent watering—either too much or too little—can cause stress to the plants, leading to tough, bitter leaves or, in severe cases, plant death.
How to Avoid It: Water your kale regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, adjusting based on rainfall and temperature conditions.
Mulching around your plants can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
6. Ignoring Pest Problems
Kale is a favorite target for common garden pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and slugs. Ignoring these pests can lead to serious damage, including chewed leaves, stunted growth, and even plant death.
How to Avoid It: Regularly inspect your kale plants for signs of pests, such as holes in the leaves or clusters of insects.
Use organic pest control methods, such as handpicking, spraying with a diluted neem oil solution, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs to manage infestations.
7. Harvesting Kale Improperly
Harvesting kale incorrectly can damage the plant and reduce its ability to produce new leaves. Picking too many leaves at once or cutting from the top can stunt the plant’s growth.
How to Avoid It: Harvest kale leaves individually, starting from the bottom and working your way up.
Leave the central crown of the plant intact, as this is where new growth will emerge. Harvesting frequently encourages the plant to produce more leaves.
How to Grow Kale Right This Fall: 10 Essential Tips
1. Choose the Right Kale Variety
Different kale varieties thrive in different conditions, so choose a variety that suits your climate and taste preferences. Some popular fall varieties include ‘Lacinato’ (Dinosaur Kale), ‘Winterbor’, and ‘Red Russian’.
Tip: If you live in a colder region, opt for a frost-hardy variety like ‘Winterbor’ or ‘Siberian’, which can withstand light frosts and even improve in flavor after exposure to cold.
2. Start Indoors or Direct Sow Early
To get a jump-start on the growing season, start kale seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your first frost date. If you prefer direct sowing, plant seeds in the garden 2-4 weeks before the first expected frost.
Tip: Transplant seedlings into the garden when they have at least 4-5 true leaves and temperatures are cool, around 50-70°F (10-21°C).
3. Prepare the Soil
Amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting to provide essential nutrients. Kale thrives in loamy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Tip: Conduct a soil test to determine nutrient deficiencies and adjust with organic fertilizers, if needed.
4. Use Mulch to Retain Moisture and Suppress Weeds
Applying a layer of mulch around your kale plants can help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Tip: Use organic mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings, and apply a 2-3 inch layer around the base of the plants, taking care not to cover the stems.
5. Provide Adequate Spacing and Airflow
Proper spacing is crucial to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of diseases like powdery mildew or downy mildew.
Tip: Space kale plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart to ensure they have enough room to grow and air can circulate freely.
6. Water Consistently
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water at the base of the plants in the early morning to allow excess moisture to evaporate, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Tip: Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to minimize water splashing on the leaves.
7. Protect Against Frost and Extreme Cold
Kale is frost-tolerant, but young seedlings and certain varieties may need protection during sudden cold snaps or extreme frosts.
Tip: Use row covers, cloches, or cold frames to shield plants from severe frost. Kale’s flavor often improves after exposure to light frosts.
8. Feed Your Plants
Feed your kale plants with a balanced organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to support steady growth.
Tip: Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to promote leafy growth, especially during the early stages.
9. Rotate Crops to Prevent Soil Diseases
Kale is part of the Brassica family and is susceptible to soil-borne diseases like clubroot. Rotate your kale crop each year to different areas of the garden to prevent disease buildup.
Tip: Avoid planting kale in the same spot where other brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) were grown in the past two years.
10. Harvest Regularly
Harvesting leaves regularly encourages the plant to produce more foliage. Start by picking the outer leaves when they are 6-8 inches long, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
Tip: Use kale leaves as soon as they’re picked for the best flavor and texture.
Growing kale in the fall can be rewarding and easy, as long as you avoid common mistakes and provide the right growing conditions.