A member of the Brassicaceae family, kale is related to
broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. It is a cool season biennial
that is grown as an annual and is harvested for its tender
foliage. Reliable and quick to harvest, growing kale is
relatively easy because cold weather doesn’t bother it. In fact,
cold weather makes it taste…well, a whole lot better! Kale grows
best in full sun and cool moist soil that is enriched with
compost. Incorporate a legume cover crop, or work in 30 pounds
of compost per 100 square feet before planting. Kale requires
moderate amounts of fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium. Tip: Before you grow your organic garden, grow your
soil. Consider adding soil amendments, like alfalfa meal
(5-1-2), rock phosphate (0-3-0), greensand (0-0-3) and kelp
meal, to your garden to improve the structure of the soil and
provide a slow-release mix of nutrients to plant roots. How to
Plant: Sow kale from seed or nursery stock in late summer for a
fall harvest or early spring for summer h