First attempt with Kale

SFG_Black_Belt 3/1/2012, 4:42 pm

I plan to grow kale (red russian & black tuscan). 1 per square? Can I put 4 across, in 4 squares, side by side?

**camprn** 3/1/2012, 4:57 pm

SFG_Black_Belt wrote:I plan to grow kale (red russian & black tuscan). 1 per square? Can I put 4 across, in 4 squares, side by side?

Yes!

curio 3/1/2012, 4:57 pm

I don't see any reason why you couldn't. Some will say that it's not in the spirit of SFG, because they'd be in a row, but I think that sometimes you have to plant in a way that makes sense for your situation. If that means planting in a row, then that's what you do.

I'll be planting several of my cole crops (kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc) in short "rows" and "blocks" of squares so I can keep it relatively close together in order to provide cover for it if needed.

**camprn** 3/1/2012, 5:07 pm

curio wrote:I don't see any reason why you couldn't. Some will say that it's not in the spirit of SFG, because they'd be in a row, but I think that sometimes you have to plant in a way that makes sense for your situation. If that means planting in a row, then that's what you do.

I'll be planting several of my cole crops (kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, etc) in short "rows" and "blocks" of squares so I can keep it relatively close together in order to provide cover for it if needed.

I too plant nearly all of my brassicas in the same bed because I cover it all in tulle to try and stay ahead of the voracious cabbage worm. I plant per square but things often go in a row, like my beans, peas, and tomatoes, especially if I am using the Florida weave trellis system.

Lavender Debs 3/1/2012, 5:29 pm

I put three red russians in one square. They have done quite well.

Debs....I'm just saying.

curio 3/1/2012, 5:31 pm

do they not get as large as some of the others.. or would the others do ok more closely planted?

Lavender Debs 3/1/2012, 5:38 pm

curio wrote:do they not get as large as some of the others.. or would the others do ok more closely planted?

Are you asking me and my three to a square?

I have no idea. They were my first ever attempt with Kale (which I thought I did not like before growing it ....for my chickens) This year I'm adding the more common, goes by many names, Black Tuscan.

First attempt with Kale Feb_2712

This is it, coming back strong after our mild winter. Looks like it might be 4 stems, not three.

curio 3/1/2012, 5:50 pm

I have seeded the heirloom "Dwarf blue curled" to plant out in a week or so, but was considering also sowing a few seeds in the same square if it seemed it would work. Maybe I'll just try it and see... can't find out unless one tries, huh?

**walshevak** 3/1/2012, 5:52 pm

I put 4 for the russian kale and 2 for the bigger winterbor kale.

Kay

**camprn** 3/1/2012, 5:56 pm

curio wrote:I have seeded the heirloom "Dwarf blue curled" to plant out in a week or so, but was considering also sowing a few seeds in the same square if it seemed it would work. Maybe I'll just try it and see... can't find out unless one tries, huh?

Planting a few extras is always a good idea in the event one or more plants fail. When they are finally established one per square is ideal. See some info here: Folia, Dwarf Blue Kale

Lavender Debs 3/1/2012, 6:04 pm

Thanks Kay and Camp. I just did not care about it until I discovered that I did actually like the stuff. Now I'm worried. When I did not like African Violets they grew and bloomed like gangbusters. Once I decided I liked them I started having problems.

FamilyGardening 3/1/2012, 8:47 pm

i have a question about collard greens and kale....

i noticed last year my collard green plant....(who is still growing strong and over wintered!) was bothered by the cabbage mouth.....does cabbage mouths like kale to?

the reason im asking is we are building hoop houses for our back yard garden....which is not a SFG and we are going to plant all our broc's, caulis, and cabbages out there.....i was going to move our collard green plant but he has very large and has strong roots in the SFG....he pushed right thru the weed block and is growing staight into the ground....we are affraid to move him...he is so pretty and lush.....

so we are trying to decide about where to put the kale if cabbage mouths like them....either next to collard green in our SFG and then screen them some how....or put them out in the other garden....

hugs

rose

**camprn** 3/1/2012, 8:54 pm

FamilyGardening wrote:i have a question about collard greens and kale....

i noticed last year my collard green plant....(who is still growing strong and over wintered!) was bothered by the cabbage mouth.....does cabbage mouths like kale to?

the reason im asking is we are building hoop houses for our back yard garden....which is not a SFG and we are going to plant all our broc's, caulis, and cabbages out there.....i was going to move our collard green plant but he has very large and has strong roots in the SFG....he pushed right thru the weed block and is growing staight into the ground....we are affraid to move him...he is so pretty and lush.....

so we are trying to decide about where to put the kale if cabbage mouths like them....either next to collard green in our SFG and then screen them some how....or put them out in the other garden....

hugs

rose

hi Rose, yes, Collards are a brassica which the cabbage moths are drawn to. If you cannot move the big plant maybe you can fashion a cover to prevent the moths form laying the eggs on the collards.(Well , that was my little brainstorn for the evening..). Very Happy

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