Content
Intro
Are you a kale lover but don't have the time to grow your own?
Then this blog post is for you! Growing kale indoors and in pots can be done. Here are instructions on how to grow kale from seed, grow kale indoors, and more!
Kale is a very nutritious green that can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. It's high in fiber and antioxidants as well as Vitamin C, A and K. Growing kale from seed is easy to do and can provide you with endless harvests of this amazing vegetable.
Choosing The Pot
First, pick out a pot. A one-gallon pot will be big enough for a kale plant, if you go a little bigger you can add more plants to the pot. It's important to know what type of container you can use for a kale pot. You'll need something with drainage holes in the bottom that will accommodate the height of your plants. If your pots don't have any holes, be sure to poke some! The best containers are those made out of plastic or clay. Terracotta pots are another option, but they tend to dry out too quickly, so you'll need water more often. They also crack when left out in the cold.
Starting Kale Seeds
How to Germinate Kale Seeds
Using soil blocks is an excellent way to start your seeds. Make your soil blocks, add them to a clear plastic container, and place them in a sunny location or under grow lights. Using a plastic container with a lid will create condensation so your seeds will stay moist and they will not need to be watered continually. Doing this will ensure that your seedlings will not be leggy when they germinate because they will have light soon after germination. When seedlings don't get the sunlight or grow light, they will grow tall and skinny. These will not be healthy or strong seedlings.
Using a heat mat will also help your seedlings to germinate. Kale seeds germinate best in temperatures from 45 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparing The Soil Mix
I prefer to make a soil mix myself, but you may also choose a good potting soil. I like Happy Frog Potting Soil. It's essential to make sure you use a potting mix if you buy soil. Buying potting soil will get expensive. Well-draining soil is vital for growing in pots. Kale needs well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter.
A good soil mixture is one part compost, one part coco coir, and one part perlite. I add one tablespoon of greensand, one tablespoon of bone meal, one tablespoon of blood meal, and half a tablespoon of azomite to the mix. This is what I use for a one-gallon container.
Sunlight Requirements
kale will do well with six hours of sun.
Water Requirements
Water at least twice a week. Check your soil because your climate is different than mine, so use good judgment on watering.
Kale Nutrition
Kale, a member of the cabbage (Brassica) family that includes cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Kale, one of the most nutritious foods per calorie with health benefits like lowering blood pressure and regulating cholesterol levels. You can enjoy raw kale chopped up in salads or steamed for extra tenderness.
Kale is a low-calorie and Low glycemic food. One cup of kale raw contains only 7.2 calories, which pales in comparison to other veggies like cabbage or cucumber that contain as many as 24 carbs per serving!
Most carbohydrate comes from fiber when it's eaten in its natural state such as with whole grains, nuts, beans etc., so even though the amount of carbohydrates found on kale may be small at less than 1g net carb/serving (only 3gm total), these healthy fibers can help regulate blood sugars too!
Kale is the perfect finger food, so even if you have to go back for seconds or thirds it won't really make much difference in your day!
Reader, I thank you for choosing to read my content. Hopefully, you have found value in this post.
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