Square Foot Gardening Kale

Square foot gardening is a great way to grow your food. The method is simple and efficient, and you can do it in small spaces.

Kale is a great crop to grow in a square-foot garden since the plant is easy to care for and provides fresh, healthy greens all season long.

What Is Square Foot Gardening?

Square foot gardening is a method of growing plants in raised beds. The beds are divided into squares, typically one foot by one foot.

Also Read: What You Need To Know About Square Foot Gardening Spacing

Why Square Foot Gardening?

This kales’ growing method offers numerous benefits.

Increased Yields

Since square-foot gardens are so efficient with space; they fit more kale plants into a smaller area.

As such, you can harvest more kale per square foot than if you were growing the plants in a traditional row garden.

Less Work

Since the plants are so close together in a square-foot garden, less weeding and watering are required.

The compact space also makes it easy to add mulch or compost to the beds, which helps to keep the soil moist and healthy.

Pest Control

Pests are less likely to bother your kale plants when grown in a square-foot garden. The reason is that the close spacing of the plants creates a barrier that pests have difficulty crossing.

Additionally, raised beds offer good drainage, discouraging many types of pests from residing in your garden.

Suitable for Small Spaces

If you have limited space, square-foot gardening is a great option. For example, you can create a small kitchen garden on a patio or balcony.

It is also possible to grow a square-foot garden in containers, which makes the method even more versatile.

Check out: Square-Foot Gardening Soil Mix [Best Tips & Tricks]

How To Grow Kale in a Square Foot Garden

Now that you know the benefits of square-foot gardening, you may wonder how to start. Here are some tips on how to grow kale in a square-foot garden.

Choose the Right Variety of Kale

There are various kinds of kale, each with varying colors, textures, and flavors. Also, each type demands different growing conditions.

Blue Curled

Blue Curled kale is a popular choice for the home garden. The plant has ruffled, blue-green leaves and a slightly sweet flavor. Blue Curled kale grows best in full sun but can tolerate shade.

Dinosaur or Lacinato

Dinosaur or Lacinato kale is a dark green variety with deeply wrinkled leaves. The flavor of this type of kale is somewhat earthy and nutty.

Dinosaur kale grows best in full sun but can also tolerate some shade.

Red Russian

Red Russian kale is a beautiful variety with purple-tinged leaves and a slightly sweet flavor. This kale grows best in full sun but can tolerate shade.

Type of Kale	Space Required
Curly Kale	12-18 inches apart
Dinosaur or Lacinato kale	18-24 inches apart
Redbor or Russian kale	12-18 inches apart
Ornamental kale	6-12 inches apart

Determine the Correct Spacing for Your Kale Plants

Plants in a square-foot garden are usually one foot apart. However, you can space kale plants closer together, as they only grow to be about 12 inches tall.

The goal is to prevent overcrowding and give the kale room to grow.

You may check online or gardening book charts to find the correct spacing for your chosen kale variety.

Have a look: Companion planting square foot gardening [Complete Guide]

Prepare Your Square Foot Garden Bed

This step is probably the most critical in the whole process. If you start with poor-quality soil, your plants won’t thrive no matter how well you care for them.

First, test your soil to find out what nutrients it is lacking. You can have your soil tested at a cooperative extension office or by sending a sample to a private laboratory.

After you know what nutrients need to be added, amend the soil accordingly.

For example, if your soil is low in nitrogen, you may need to add some organic matter, such as compost or manure.

Once your soil gets amended, you are ready to plant your kale seeds or seedlings.

Plant Your Kale Seeds or Seedlings

Again; the spacing may depend on whether you wish to start with seeds or seedlings. If you are planting seeds, sow them about ½ inch deep and two inches apart.

Once the seedlings emerge, you can thin them so that they are about eight inches apart.

If planting seedlings, space them about eight inches apart in the bed. Also, ensure that the seedlings are at the same depth as they were in their original containers.

Kale is a cool-weather crop you can plant in the spring or fall. However, the best time to plant kale is 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in your area.

To plant kale, you will need:

• Kale seeds
• A hoe or trowel
• A rake
• Organic compost
• Mulch (optional)

To plant kale, follow these steps:

Use a hoe or trowel to loosen the soil in your garden bed. Add organic compost to the bed and plant the kale seeds 1/4 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart.

Water the seeds well. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them so they are 6-8 inches apart. Apply mulch around the plants to help with moisture retention and weed control (optional).

Water the plants as needed, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.

Read: Square Foot Gardening Broccoli: the best way to grow

Water and Fertilize Your Kale Plants

Kale plants need about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. However, be careful not to overwater your plants, which can lead to fungal diseases.

Regarding fertilizer, kale plants benefit from a steady supply of nitrogen.

You may side-dress your plants with compost or organic matter every few weeks or use a liquid fertilizer designed explicitly for leafy greens.

Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as too much fertilizer can damage your plants.

Kale Growing Requirements

Besides spacing, you should ensure your plants get all the nutrients and care they need to grow. Some requirements to watch out for are:

Sunlight

Kale plants need at least six hours of sunlight per day, although they can tolerate up to eight hours.

If you live in an area with hot summers, you may want to provide some afternoon shade for your plants.

Soil

As we mentioned before, kale plants prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Therefore, the pH level should be around 6.0 to 7.0.

You can improve the drainage of your soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure. You can also add sand to heavy soils.

Water

Kale plants need about one inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. However, be careful not to overwater your plants, which can lead to fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Kale plants benefit from a steady supply of nitrogen.

You may side-dress your plants with compost or organic matter every few weeks or use a liquid fertilizer designed explicitly for leafy greens.

Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as too much fertilizer can damage your plants.

Temperature

Kale plants can tolerate frost and even light snow. Some gardeners say that kale tastes sweeter after being exposed to frost.

In a city such as San Francisco, you can plant kale in late September or early October and harvest it through the winter.

In the same way, if you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7 or below, you can plant kale in the spring and harvest it into early summer.

Pests Control

As with any plant, kale can be susceptible to pests and diseases. Some common problems include

Cabbage worms

These green or yellow caterpillars are the larvae of moths. They feed on the leaves of kale plants, leaving behind large holes. Hand-pick the caterpillars off your plants, or use a Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) spray.

Aphids

Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that feed on plant sap. They can cause curling and yellowing of kale leaves. You can control aphids by blasting them off with a hose or using insecticidal soap.

Also check: Okra square foot gardening

Cutworms

Cutworms are night-feeding caterpillars that cut kale plants off at the stem. They are particularly problematic for seedlings.

To protect your plants, you can put a paper collar around the stem of each plant. You can also use a BT spray.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a white powdery fungus that grows on the leaves of kale plants. It can cause the leaves to be yellow and eventually die.

To prevent powdery mildew, water your plants in the morning, so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.

You can also use a sulfur-based fungicide according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can You Plant Other Vegetables with Kale?

Kale is a versatile plant that can be grown in many different ways. You can use it as an ornamental plant or grow it for its edible leaves.

If you want to grow kale for its leaves, you can plant it alone or with other leafy greens, such as spinach or Swiss chard.

If you want to use kale as an ornamental plant, you can plant it with other flowering plants. Here are some suitable companions for kale.

Buckwheat

This is a fast-growing annual plant that produces white or pink flowers. This plant is a great companion for kale because it keeps weeds at bay and helps with moisture retention in the soil.

Sorghum

Sorghum is a perennial herb that produces white or yellow flowers. This plant is a great companion for kale because it helps with pest control.

The pungent smell of the plant repels aphids, cabbage worms, and other pests.

Herbs

Herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme are great companions for kale because they help with pest control. The strong smell of the herbs repels aphids, cabbage worms, and other pests.

Additionally, herbs help to improve the flavor of kale.

Flowers

Flowers such as marigolds, nasturtiums, and zinnias are great companions for kale because they help with pest control.

The pungent smell of the flowers repels aphids, cabbage worms, and other pests. The flowers add color and interest to the garden.

Check Post: Square Foot Gardening Pole Beans (Well-Researched Tips)

Plants to Avoid

Some plants aren’t suitable companions for kale. These plants include:

Cauliflower

Cauliflower and kale are in the same family, which means they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Additionally, cauliflower can stunt the growth of kale.

Potato

This plant and kale are in the same family, which means they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Additionally, potatoes can stunt the growth of kale.

Tomato

Tomatoes and kale are in the same family, which means they are susceptible to the same pests and diseases. Additionally, tomatoes can stunt the growth of kale.

When planting companions for kale, it’s essential to choose plants that won’t compete for resources, such as water and nutrients.

Additionally, it would be best to select plants with different growing requirements, such as other planting dates or sun exposure.

Kale Harvesting and Storage

The right time to harvest your kale depends on the type of kale you are growing and the purpose for which you are growing it.

If you are growing kale for its leaves, you can harvest them anytime after they reach 6-8 inches in length.

If you are growing kale for its flowers, you will need to wait until they have fully opened before harvesting them.

For storage, you can store kales in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.

Read out: Square Foot Gardening Tomatoes (7 Ultimate Tips)

Can You Grow Kale in a Greenhouse?

Kales can be grown in a greenhouse, but they will need to be planted in the early spring so that they have time to mature before the hot summer months.

Kales are a cool weather crop and won’t tolerate heat well.

When growing kale in a greenhouse, provide adequate ventilation and shade the plants from direct sunlight if necessary. Additionally, water the plants to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Additionally, you may like some more gardening tutorials:

• Square Foot Gardening Raspberries [All About To Know]
• Square Foot Gardening Cucumbers [Helpful Tips]
• Square-Foot Gardening Radish [How to Grow]
• Square Foot Gardening Bush Beans [Best Methods to Grow]
• Square Foot Gardening Strawberries (Unbelievable Ways)
• Square Foot Gardening Spinach (Helpful Tips)
• Square Foot Gardening Basil (Phenomenal Ways)
• Square Foot Gardening Potatoes
• Grow Corn in Square Foot Gardening (Detail Steps)
• Watermelon square foot gardening

Conclusion

Kale is a cool-weather crop that can easily grow in a garden or greenhouse. In addition, kale is a versatile plant that you can use in many dishes.

When growing kale, choose companions carefully and provide adequate water and nutrients. And be watchful of the space you give each kale plant as they need room to grow.

Then, with some care, you can enjoy fresh kale all season long.