Kale: A Large + Leafy Superfood
Cultivating + Enjoying Kale in a Florida Kitchen Garden
With its robust flavor, nutritional richness and versatility, kale is a staple you need in your kitchen garden. Not only does kale thrive in the Florida sunshine, but it’s an easy-to-care-for green that can grow through several seasons. In this post, we’ll cover general care tips, the best varieties for our Florida climate, growing from seed to harvest, companion plants and a list of recipe ideas to get you growing and incorporating more kale into your meals.
Cultivation Tips for Kale in Florida
Kale is a hardy green, but a little care goes a long way in producing a bountiful harvest. Ensure your kale thrives with these general care tips:
Kale’s ruffly green leaves are rich in vitamins K, A, C and B6 and high in fiber, antioxidants and iron.
Choose the Right Varieties
Florida's warm climate calls for kale varieties that can withstand the heat. Opt for heat-tolerant varieties like Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale, Red Russian Kale, or Siberian Kale.
Dinosaur Kale (Lacinato or Tuscan Kale): Known for its dark, bumpy leaves, Dinosaur Kale is heat-tolerant and boasts a rich, earthy flavor.
Red Russian Kale: This variety features frilly, purple-tinged leaves and tends to withstand heat better than other types.
Curly Kale: While it can be more sensitive to heat, curly kale varieties, like Winterbor, can still thrive in Florida with proper care.
Start from Seed
Sow seeds indoors in the late summer or early fall. Use seed-starting trays with a high-quality potting mix. Transplant seedlings once they have a couple of true leaves, ensuring a head start for your kale plants.
Lacinato kale is a choice great for the Florida heat. It ranges in color from a slightly bluish green to dark green.
Ideal Planting Time
In Florida, where the growing season extends throughout the year, you can plant kale almost any time. However, for optimal growth and to ensure your kale is well established before the heat of summer, consider planting in the fall, winter or early spring when temperatures are milder. We recommend planting around September and again in February.
Sunlight and Soil
Kale thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Provide your kale plants with full sunlight, ensuring they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Mulch around and support the base of the plants with compost to retain moisture, and regulate soil temperature.
Everything goes well with kale — plant your own today and always have a harvest ready for salads, pastas, soups and smoothies.
Harvesting
Harvest kale leaves when they reach a desirable size, typically around 8-10 inches in length, but you can pull leaves from the plant at any size. Start by picking the outer leaves and allow the inner leaves to continue growing for a continuous harvest. Regular harvesting encourages new growth.
Companion Planting with Kale
Kale pairs well with companion plants like herbs (such as dill and chamomile) and other vegetables like carrots, beets, and celery. These combinations can enhance growth and protect against pests. Kale grows tall — so plant it along the back or in the middle of your raised bed, where you’ll be able to access shorter and quicker growing plants around it.
Recipes to Savor
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: A refreshing salad featuring the vibrant flavors of kale, nutty quinoa, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Sauteed Kale with Garlic and Pine Nuts: A simple yet flavorful side dish that highlights the earthy notes of kale, complemented by garlic and the crunch of pine nuts.
Kale and White Bean Soup: A hearty and nutritious soup that combines kale with white beans, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs.
Kale Pesto Pasta: Elevate your pasta game with a nutrient-rich kale pesto, blending the goodness of kale, garlic, Parmesan, and pine nuts.
Kale Smoothie Bowl: Start your day with a nutrient-packed kale smoothie bowl, topped with fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds for added texture.
Get Growing Kale with Moonflower Kitchen Gardens
Kale provides a leafy, green and visually pleasing addition to your garden and a nutritional addition to your meals. You’ll be most successful growing kale in Florida If you select heat-tolerant varieties, tend to it properly and enjoy it regularly — and Moonflower Kitchen Gardens can help. Contact us today to set up a consult and get growing.