The Best Kales

(Page 5 of 6)

August/September 2003
 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Grow Your Own Kale

RELATED CONTENT

Experienced kale growers, knowing the crop's preference for cool weather, sow seeds of their favorite varieties in flats in midsummer for late-midsummer transplanting to the garden. It's often too hot at that time of year to start seeds in a greenhouse, so try the trick of starting them in the partial shade of large trees. Be sure to keep the flats well watered.

For transplanting, choose a sunny, fertile spot with lots of compost in the soil. If possible, plant your kale on a high spot that is well-drained but still out of the wind. This will help to extend the bounty of the crop into the winter time. Space the seedlings 14 inches apart in all directions, or 12 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart.

Aphids can get established early and persist on your kale if you don't have enough insect predators in the vicinity of your garden. Ned Herbert, farm manager of the Abundant Life Seed Foundation, says he tries to always have flowering members of the Umbel family, which includes dill, coriander and bronze fennel, in the garden to attract parasitic wasps that prey on aphids.

You also can remove aphids with a strong spray from your hose. As for cabbageworms, the easiest organic answer is to spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Be sure to use the version of Bt that is labeled for caterpillars. Plants mature for harvest in 50 to 80 days. To freeze your bounty, treat it just like spinach: Blanch in boiling water, plunge into iced water to stop the cooking, package in freezer bags and label.

1. Abundant Life Seed Foundation, PO. Box 772; Port Townsend, WA 98368; (360) 385-5660; www.abundantlifeseed.org
2. William Dam, PO. Box 8400; Dundas, Ontario L9H 6M1 Canada; (905) 6286641; www.damseeds.com (Canada only)
3. Harris Seeds , PO. Box 24966; Rochester, NY 14624; (800) 5144441; www.harrisseeds.com
4. Johnny's Selected Seeds, 955 Benton Ave.; Winslow, ME 04901; (207) 861-3901; www.johnnyseeds.com
5. Park's Seeds, 1 Parkton Ave.; Greenwood, SC 29647; (800) 8453369; www.parkseed.com
6. Seeds of Change, PO. Box 15700; Santa Fe, NM 87592; (888) 762-7333; www.seedsofchange.com
7. Territorial Seed Company, PO. Box 158; Cottage Grove, OR 97424;(541) 9429547; www.territorialseed.com

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.