Kale is two years old
Kale is usually two years old. You can read about this on your seed package. Often, however, it is only grown as an annual. The reason for this is simple: kale is very starchy in the warm season and therefore tastes bitter. Only in the cold season (not only at Frost!) it produces less bitter substances, but still produces glucose, so that it tastes sweeter and milder. the Harvest time begins in October and usually ends in February at the latest, so kale is from May to October practically unusable and also takes up space that is used for other plants can.
Another problem is that kale belongs to the cruciferous family, which, like other heavy eaters, has a special one Crop rotation is to be observed. For example, after growing any type of cabbage, the bed needs to recover for three years before you can grow cabbage again. Let the cabbage stand for two years, you practically "lose" a year in which you can hardly use the cabbage anyway.
also read
- Wash kale - that's how it works
- Kale, prepared vegetarian
- Fight pests on kale
Harvest kale in the second winter
Kale is considered biennial, but can only be harvested in the first winter. In the following summer, it will bloom and then die, because, as with all plants, the only thing for kale is to multiply.
The bloom of the kale
But if you leave your kale in the bed over the summer, it will bloom a beautiful, bright yellow flower with the four petals typical of cruciferous vegetables. After flowering, the kale forms seeds that you collect and use for sowing can use in the next year. But be careful: do not sow in the same place!