How to Grow Kale from Cuttings in 2023? An Easy Guide
- Author: Saiqa Najeeb
- Last Updated On: July 11, 2023
Looking to make the most of your spare garden space or beds? Why not consider growing kale from cuttings? The best part is that it’s a simple and low-effort method that yields fantastic results. There is no need to purchase new plants when you can easily propagate kale from cuttings taken from established plants. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also make an environmentally friendly choice.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the necessary information about how to grow kale from cuttings. Discover the joys of adding fresh, nutrient-packed greens to your garden.
So, let’s unlock the secrets of growing kale from cuttings!
About Kale
Kale is one of the healthiest plants you can eat, with one serving to provide your daily vitamin C, K, and iron needs while being low in calories. These plants thrive in full sun and soil that is rich, loamy, wet and well-drained. They thrive in mild weather and may require some midday shade in the summer heat. Kale can be grown in rows in the home garden, in pots, or as an ornamental plant in the landscape. It can grow in a minimum size container of 6 gal. and as shallow as an 8 in. depth in containers.
Check out our guide on vegetable gardening 101.
Recomended Varietiess
Many good kale types are available in local gardening stores and through seed catalogues. Vates Blue Scotch Curled (55 days), Red Russian (60 days), and Winterbor (65 days) produce well, have good eating quality,, and are cold hardy.
Growing Conditions
Light: 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day
Soil Texture: Rich in organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-8.0
Soil Drainage: Good Drainage
Space Required To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, 11b
How To Grow Kale from Cuttings?
1
Soil Preparation
Kale grows best in healthy, well-drained soil rich in organic materials. Incorporate up to 15-20 pounds of thoroughly composted organic matter before planting, then apply 4-6 cups of all-purpose fertilizer (16-16-8 or 10-10-10) per 100 square feet.
Check out how to choose the best soil for your vegetable garden.
2
Planting Kale from Cutting
If you can find some freshly picked kale, you should be able to reproduce it from plantlet cuttings. Pick the plantlets by the node off the main stem of your kale bunch. You can promote growth by dipping the end of your plantlet in rooting hormone, but this isn’t strictly necessary. Place the plantlet by digging a hole in the soil and thoroughly water it every day. Your kale plant should sprout new roots in around 25 days.
3
Plant Spacing
Kale plants should be placed 12-18 inches apart in rows 2 feet apart. Kale grows best in temperatures below 75°F. Temperatures as low as 25°F have no significant effect on young plants. Mature plants are incredibly resilient and can endure extremely low temperatures without harm. Choose early maturing cultivars for fall maturing kale and plant 50-75 days before the expected maturity date. Maturity should occur approximately 2-3 weeks after the first fall frost. Plants can be left in the garden all winter to provide greens when they are not in season. High summer temperatures stunt growth, degrade quality, and promote the development of bitter or unpleasant flavours.
3
Watering and Fertilization
Water kale deeply and infrequently to provide consistent soil moisture. Each week, around 1-2 inches of water are necessary. If possible, use drip irrigation to save water. Mulching around the plant also helps to conserve soil moisture and inhibits weed growth. Changes in moisture lead leaves to grow rough and produce bad flavours.
To encourage quick plant development, apply 1/2 cup per 10 feet of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 4 weeks after transplanting or thinning. Irrigate the fertilizer into the soil 6 inches to the side of the plant.
Explore our guide on essential gardening tools guide here.
3
Mulches and Row Covers
Plastic mulches conserve water, inhibit weed development, and allow for faster planting and maturity, particularly with transplants. To protect seedlings and transplants from frost and insect infestations, fabric covers are utilized. When temps rise, use organic mulches. Mulches help to cool the soil and prevent water stress. Weeds are also controlled by organic mulches such as grass clippings, straws, and shredded newspaper.
4
Managing Pests and diseases
- Alternaria leaf spot: It has a number of symptoms; small dark spots on the leaves that become brown to grey; lesions that are round or angular with a purple-black edge; lesions that form concentric rings, become brittle, and split in the center; dark brown elongated lesions that grow on stems and petioles. Plant only pathogen-free seeds, rotate crops, and manage the disease with proper fungicides when it appears.
- Anthracnose: The symptoms include small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots on leaves that are grey to straw in color, a large number of spots, necrotic patches that cause leaves to yellow and wilt, and cracked lesions that may split or crack in dry centers. Disease control is dependent on sanitary practices; treating seeds with hot water before planting; rotating crops; planting in an area with good soil drainage; and eliminating all cruciferous weeds that may serve as a reservoir for the fungus.
- Damping-off: Plant pathogen-free seeds or transplants that have been produced in sterilized soil; apply fungicide to seed to kill off any fungi; shallow plant seeds or delay planting until soil warms.
5
Harvest And Storage
Kale should be harvested after the leaves have grown to their full size. The older leaves are usually peeled off the plants first, allowing the younger leaves to flourish. Frosts contribute to the flavor of the fall-planted crop. Kale may be stored at 32°F and 95% relative humidity for 2-3 weeks. Many gardeners allow kale to grow in their gardens all winter.
Read our growing guide for how to grow cucumbers vertically.
Let’s plant Kale from cuttings!
By utilizing existing plants and propagating kale through cuttings, you not only save money but also make an eco-friendly choice that promotes sustainability.
Now you’ve got all the secret saucesof how to grow kale from cuttings, to ensure bountiful harvests, it’s time to head to the garden. By utilizing existing plants and propagating kale through cuttings, you not only save money but also make an eco-friendly choice that promotes sustainability.
Expand your kale patch effortlessly, relishing the repeated yields of these nutritious and versatile greens. Watch your garden flourish with vibrant foliage. Happy gardening!
