Content
Kale is a wild plant that gave rise to all cultivated varieties of cabbage. It is used to decorate the garden and is even eaten. Does not produce forks, but is distinguished by large leaves with a pleasant radish flavor. The culture is unpretentious and can be grown in different regions of Russia.
What is kale
Kale is a wild plant that, like crops, belongs to the cruciferous family. Unlike ordinary species and varieties, it does not form a head of cabbage, but only produces leaves, which is why it got its name. Kale is also called:
- browncol;
- grunkol;
- curly.
The plant is unpretentious and resistant to temperature changes. In open ground, kale grows well in the range from -15 to +30 degrees. It can be grown in different regions of Russia.
Description and photo of kale
Kale is a perennial plant. It produces large leaves on long petioles – 8-10 cm.Biologically, the leaf variety is the ancestor of all cultivated varieties, but is very different from them in appearance. The surface of the leaf plate is smooth, uniform, rich green in color, the edges are even.
Although the shape and color are different. Quite a few varieties have been developed based on the wild variety. Their foliage can be wrinkled, lacy and even “torn”. At the same time, the color is varied - there are such shades:
- reddish;
- pink;
- purple;
- purple;
- white-yellow;
- bluish.
The leaf rosette of cabbage reaches a height of 30 to 90 cm, in diameter it is usually from 50 to 100 cm. But wild varieties are even larger - up to 1.5-2 m high. They resemble small palm trees, but are found only in warm countries.
Openwork foliage, very attractive
The benefits and harms of kale
Collard greens can be used as food. The composition contains quite a few useful components:
- potassium;
- iron;
- magnesium;
- phosphorus;
- vitamins PP, K, A, group B.
The calorie content of the product is low - within 35 kcal per 100 g. Nutritional value for the same weight:
- proteins – 3 g;
- fats – 0.6 g;
- carbohydrates – 1.4 g.
The leaves also contain quite a lot of dietary fiber. They make up 20% of the daily requirement. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, kale provides significant health benefits:
- help with weight loss;
- enrichment with vitamins and minerals;
- cancer prevention;
- improved vision, especially during exercise;
- source of protein, which is especially important for vegetarians;
- improvement of skin and nails condition;
- help in treating joints.
If you eat kale in moderation - up to 200-300 g per day, it will not cause harm. But it is worth remembering the contraindications:
- gallstones or kidney stones;
- thyroid disorders;
- chronic diarrhea;
- colitis, gastritis, other gastrointestinal pathologies;
- children's age up to 5-6 years.
If rashes, itching, redness and other signs of allergy appear, use of the product should be stopped.
Uses of kale
The leaves of this crop are very strong, but at the same time juicy. They are used as food mainly in Europe and North America. In Russia - much less often. Its taste is somewhat reminiscent of radishes. The foliage is best used fresh. You can also simmer it and add spices:
- black pepper;
- caraway;
- curry;
- garlic.
In Asia, kale is used as an ornamental plant. It is often found in gardens in different regions of China and Japan. But it is practically not used for food there.
As for garden design, most often the plant is formed into a dense planting to create a general background or frame, for example, along a path, next to a bench, to separate zones of a flower garden. Kale can also be used in combination with other flowers and shrubs. The plant is used for food and to decorate the garden.
Varieties and types of kale
Wild kale itself is not a cultivated plant. But based on it, several varieties and hybrids were bred. There are not many of them - the most common are the following:
- Kale.
- Redbor F1.
- Reflex F1.
- Black Tuscany.
- Tintoretto.
- Siberian.
Kale is the most common variety of collard greens (sometimes called kale). Varieties with red and green foliage are grown on the site. Interestingly, after frost, the red leaf blades turn slightly purple. Ripens in 70 days and has a pleasant taste. Leaves with fringed edges, lacy. The rosette reaches a height of 80 cm.
Redbor F1 is a hybrid of kale, obtained in the Netherlands, and is also included in the register of breeding achievements. The stems are long, the shape of the bush resembles a tropical mini-palm. Therefore, it is often used to decorate the garden. Height up to 80 cm. If you want to get a taller plant, it is recommended to plant it in the ground as early as possible.
Reflex F1, a hybrid of late-ripening kale, is also included in the register. The rosette is semi-vertical, reaches a height of 80 cm. In open ground it normally overwinters at temperatures down to -18 degrees. The bushes are quite large, so when planting, keep at least 60 cm between them. The foliage is corrugated, grayish-green, attractive.
Black Tuscany is a variety of kale with low rosettes. Quite spreading. The foliage is large, matte, rich dark green with lilac flowers. Surface with tubercles resembling “bubbles”.
Tintoretto is another interesting variety of kale with lacy, very beautiful leaves. Gives a good harvest - up to 1 kg per plant. But at the same time, seed germination is average. Ripening lasts 100 days or a little more.
Siberian - this variety of kale is not winter hardy. However, it has good immunity to diseases and various insects. It ripens in just 80 days, so it can be grown, including in Siberia (through seedlings).Leaves are cut until December, as their taste only gets better in the cold.
Kale is one of the most common cabbage varieties.
Growing kale
You can grow kale either through seedlings or by direct sowing in the ground. The latter method can be used in regions with a relatively warm spring, for example, in the North Caucasus, Krasnodar Territory, Lower Volga region, and can be tried in the middle zone. But in Siberia and the northern regions it is better not to risk it and grow seedlings first.
Seedless method
If grown by direct sowing into the ground, the seeds must first be prepared. In the second half of April, a plot is allocated, and at the end of the month the seeds are planted in furrows 1 cm deep with an interval of 10 cm.
Plastic bottles are placed over each hole or film is stretched. Ventilate and water periodically. Then weak shoots are pinched and the cover is finally removed.
Through seedlings
This is more labor-intensive, but the most reliable, and therefore the most common way to grow kale. Seeds are purchased at the store and preparation begins at the end of March. To increase germination, proceed as follows:
- Immerse the grains in a saline solution (heaped tablespoon per liter) and discard those that float.
- Then put it in hot water (no more than +45) for 20 minutes, after which - in cold water for 2 minutes.
- Next, transfer it to a solution of “Fitosporin” or another biological fungicide for etching (leave for 20-30 minutes).
- The next step is to put it in a solution of Epin or another growth stimulant overnight.
Immediately after this, you can start planting the kale seeds.For cultivation, use universal soil for seedlings or make a mixture based on turf soil, peat, humus and sand (2:1:1:1). It is best to use peat pots or plastic cups as containers. It is not worth planting seeds in common seedling boxes, since kale does not tolerate picking well.
Place 2-3 grains in each container and sprinkle with soil (depth no more than 1 cm). First, greenhouse conditions are created - they stretch a film with holes and place it in a warm (24 degrees), illuminated place. Periodically, the shelter is removed for watering and ventilation. Install phytolamps or diodes at a height of 50 cm.
Seeds are purchased in March
As soon as the kale shoots appear, the film is removed. Next, the temperature is sharply reduced and grown at 10-12 degrees. If this cannot be done at home, take it to a greenhouse. Then the temperature must be gradually increased to +16. At the beginning, mid-May, the seedlings are transferred to open ground and planted according to the 60*50 cm pattern.
Further care
Collard greens do not require special care. The culture is unpretentious and tolerates frost and even heat. To get a good harvest, watering is done once a week (after transplanting seedlings), and then once every 10-15 days (twice more often in drought).
After this, the soil is thoroughly loosened to prevent compaction. Weed if necessary. To keep the soil moist for as long as possible, it is recommended to lay out mulch.
Top dressing is applied 3-4 times per season with an interval of 3-4 weeks (the first - a few days after transplanting the seedlings). In this case, it is best to use organic matter, for example, potassium humate, mullein infusion 1:10 or dung 1:20.You can give a complex mineral fertilizer once, for example, “Agikol”, “Kemiru Lux”.
Disease and pest control
The immunity of leafy cabbage is very good; the plant rarely suffers from cabbage flies, as well as clubroot. If the summer is too rainy, white rot may develop. The provoking factor is violation of watering norms. Fungicides are used for prevention and treatment, for example:
- "Ordan";
- "Skor";
- "Abiga Peak";
- "Ridomil Gold".
Among the pests, cruciferous flea beetles are dangerous; aphids occasionally settle in. Insecticides used for treatment:
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Karate";
- "Fufanon";
- "Biotlin."
Harvest and storage
Each variety has its own harvest time; in general, you can start harvesting after the leaves become large enough. If you cut them off at this moment, side shoots will appear, thanks to which you can get a second wave.
The harvest is harvested until December
When storing fresh leaves, they should be placed in the refrigerator for a period of no more than 7 days. The remaining part is crushed and frozen. Or they are placed whole in sealed bags and also placed in the freezer. In this form, kale can be stored for up to 12 months. But it cannot be re-frozen - it must be eaten immediately after thawing.
Conclusion
Kale grows normally in almost all regions of Russia. This is one of the few plants that is highly decorative and at the same time can be used as food. To get a good harvest, it is recommended to grow through seedlings.
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