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Kale seed is one of the most popular crop types in the cabbage family. Sometimes planting kale seeds is usually an ordeal for farmers. But how many kale seeds per hole should you plant?
Well, it is advisable to plant three kale seeds per hole!
In this article, we will discuss extensively why we said so and everything you need to know about kale seed, from planting to its germination to maturity.
We will equally answer some of the frequently asked questions on this topic. Stay tuned.
What Are Kale Seeds?
Kale seed is a seasonal crop of the cabbage family; it is one of the most popular crops among the cabbage family and a healthy green vegetable.
This crop is the most popular and nutritious vegetable crop worldwide, with a steady increase in popularity in India.
See Also: How Many Radish Seeds Per Hole?
How Many Kale Seeds Per Hole?
When planting your kale seeds, you must ensure that you don’t plant them too deeply into the soil; 1 inch of the soil is best.
You are to plant a maximum of 3 seeds per hole; this is to prevent overcrowding of the kale seeds, which will lead to a loss in soil fertility and poor growth and development.
Types Of Kale Seeds
Kale seed is a stunning vegetable; it has different varieties that offer a choice of frothy, frilled leaves, crinkled leaves, and flatter leaves that are ideal for both cooking and the making of salads.
This plant is an excellent ornamental plant that usually adds a touch of beauty to your place of abode. This seed is best grown from late spring to early summer, making it the perfect choice to follow from earlier crops such as garlic, fava beans, or early salads. Some of the varieties of kale crops are.
- Black Magic
- Dazzling Blue
- Dwarf Siberian
- Premier
- Prizm Hybrid
- Redbor
- Red Russian
- Red Ursa
Where To Grow Kale Seeds
The most reliable crop of the cabbage family is the kale seeds. This crop stands up to frost with great ease, and it thrives in any well-drained and fertile soil.
Like every other cabbage family crop, this crop thrives well under the sun; it grows stronger and healthier when given sufficient sunlight.
Like most cabbage, the kale seed grows best and faster when fed well. This is why you need to add a lot of compost manure to the ground before planting the kale seed.
If your soil is not rich in nutrients, you can top up its fertility by applying a good and balanced type of fertilizer, like the kelp liquid fertilizer a week or two before planting. This crop needs rich soil to grow to its full potential and maturity.
How To Sow Kale From Seed
This crop needs plenty of room to develop properly. To make the most of the space, it is better to start plants off in plug trays or pots. Starting this way, you can quickly grow seedlings while other crops are still in the ground.
After you’ve harvested the previous crop, your sturdy young kale seedlings are ready for planting.
Processes
- First, you must fill plug trays or small pots with well-fertilized soil. Firm it with your hands and make holes about 1 cm deep. You should sow two seeds per plug or pot, cover and water them. When the seedlings grow, you are to remove the weaker one.
- Depending on when you plan on planting your kale seeds, you need to pot your seedlings in larger containers. Then, a week before planting the kale seed, start moving the plants outside so they can acclimatize. You are to keep them out for a gradually more extended period until they stay out day and night.
- Sow the kale seed into plug trays for transplanting to make the most out of the space in your garden.
How To Transplant Kale Seeds
- You will need to space the young plants to about 18 inches apart.
- Next, you have to dig a hole, put the plant in and fill it back with soil.
- Kale seeds need to be well planted in the soil, so you must be sure to properly firm the plants in a good position so that the roots are in good contact with the soil.
- Water it very well when you’re done.
- If it’s a kale seed that needs to be harvested for smaller salad leaves, you can plant it closer to the leaves, about 25 cm between plants.
How To Care For Your Kale Seeds
It would be best if you kept the plants well watered and weeded, do this in the summer as they settle in and get established in the soil. As yellowing damaged leaves appear, you must remove them before they interfere with the excellent plant.
Although kale seeds tend to be less prone to the attack of pests and diseases, it is still essential to take necessary precautions against any possible attacks.
Slugs most times prove a nuisance in a wetter climate, but they can be picked off easily by hand; in addition to that, you can easily set slug traps to limit their numbers.
If you notice pigeons tearing at your plant’s leaves, you must set up bird deterrent tape or put up barriers to stop the attacks.
Butterfly netting can also help to stop butterflies from laying their eggs on your plants so that the caterpillars won’t decimate your plants, thereby reducing their productivity.
Cabbage aphids can be harmful parasites to your crops, but you can easily exclude them with fine mesh netting. Fuzzy gray cabbage aphids can pose a great treat; insect mesh or row covers are some of the simple ways to protect your plants.
How To Harvest Kale Seeds
The harvesting of kale seeds usually begins in the fall. You can easily pull or twist the leaves down and away from the plant, or you can use a knife to cut the leaves off.
Kale is usually a tough seed, and the harvesting can continue throughout the winter. You can harvest every few days by taking on or more leaves from the plant each day so that the inner rosette of leaves remains untouched.
By the end of the following spring, the kale plant will have grown very tall due to regular harvesting. Kale is one of those vegetable crops that keeps giving on, which makes it a great and worthy addition to any garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take kale seed to develop?
It takes at least two weeks for the kale seed to develop after planting. It is important to note that the development period of kale seeds depends on how well the seed is produced and the area’s weather conditions.
Can Kale Seeds be planted as a food crop?
Kale seeds can be planted as food crops since it’s among the members of the vegetable families. In some parts of India, it is mainly grown as a food crop.
Can Kale Seeds be planted indoors?
Yes, but you have to ensure that this seed receives sufficient sunlight, especially during the growth period of its Seedlings. If your indoor area lacks adequate sunlight, we advise you to plant outdoors.
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