Kale

Growing

Kale is a hardy cool-season crop that can survive a hard freeze. Start plants indoors and transplant them once the weather settles, or sow seeds directly into the ground. Because this plant grows as a single upright stem, it suits container gardening if the soil is well-drained and not waterlogged. For garden beds, aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Harvest the leaves rather than waiting for a head to form. Since kale does not ripen after you pick it, harvest individual leaves as soon as they are ready to use. For longer-term use, blanch the leaves before freezing them. Keep the leaves unwashed to help them last longer in the fridge or a cool, dark cellar.

Many members of the Brassica oleracea family have been bred for different structures, such as the compact heads of cauliflower or the tight buds of Brussels sprouts. Kale is valued for its large leaves, and it can persist through the winter.