how much Kale per square?

HPartin 2/20/2011, 9:37 pm

I bought some kale seedlings and I have no planting instructions pertaining to spacing. Can someone tell me how many plants per square foot?

Thank you in advance!

Heidi

Megan 2/20/2011, 9:51 pm

My ornamental kale is fairly large. I'd say no more than 2 per square, at most.

janefss2002 2/20/2011, 11:16 pm

Agree with Megan. Depending on your growing conditions, it can become a perennial small, sprawling bush. We have one growing in an upside down planter since 2007.

"It" has survived for 4 years. We call it our dinosaur kale. It just keeps on keeps on.

If you are more disciplined than the plant, you could try 4. I've done that too, but you have to be brutal with trimming.

Great veggie Very Happy

Jane

staf74 2/21/2011, 8:08 am

I went with two squares of four in each. Worked out well but at four, we had far more Kale than we consume. The leaves are not as tasty when huge IMO. The main problem for me was that the roots began to "mat" and spread to the adjacent squares and choked out the chard which suffered after a while. I would go for just the one next time, perhaps two squares still but also just one in each.

Link to the pic in my bed this past fall. Kale is going CRAZY !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56292096@N03/5205794284/in/set-72157625337963595/

Goosegirl 2/21/2011, 8:18 am

Great pic Staf74! If I could get my garden even HALF that neat I would be happy! Great Job! flower

**camprn** 2/21/2011, 8:23 am

HPartin 2/21/2011, 1:17 pm

staf74 wrote:

Link to the pic in my bed this past fall. Kale is going CRAZY !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56292096@N03/5205794284/in/set-72157625337963595/

Good grief, I had no idea it got so big. I most definitely will go with one per square. I almost put 4 per square. That would have been a disaster!

Your garden area is beautiful and very well organized.

Thanks all who answered.

Heidi

quiltbea 2/21/2011, 2:33 pm

If you planted 4 per square you'd just have to harvest it small but flavor improves after its nipped by frost so I'd only plant one per square.

Megan 2/21/2011, 5:33 pm

That photo was VERY helpful, thank you! I bought some "Ragged Jack" and looking forward to trying it!

staf74 2/22/2011, 8:07 am

Thank you Heidi Embarassed

Had to share that pic as it started out so innocent. However, I did supplement feed with fish emulsion to get that type of growth every few weeks. Seeing as I was not looking for flowering growth, the high N content of the fish emulsion encouraged lush foliage. Quiltbea is totally correct, the frost really sweetened up the leaves. I wonder if you grow in the spring how you would create that effect? If you snip the leaves and left in the freezer overnight, would that work? or does that only work on living plants.

Any thoughts?

HPartin 2/22/2011, 9:08 am

Growing Kale isn't really my idea. My husband picked it up. He said "he hadn't had Kale in years." That might be because I hate it Smile

. I am about 5 weeks from the last frost date so I guess it has time to "sweeten up." We'll see. And then I'm going to have learn to cook it so that I can tolerate it Smile

.

Heidi

Megan 2/22/2011, 5:25 pm

That makes two of us, Heidi. Smile

I like kale in hearty winter soups, but I am still trying to find other ways to enjoy it.

middlemamma 2/23/2011, 12:12 am

Quiltbea, I moved your Kale recipe to the recipe section of the forum.... Smile

You can find it here

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t5327-kale-recipe?highlight=kale

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