Like the timeless fable of the wise plant, doing some extra effort lets you reap the rewards of beautiful kale in the winter to brighten up those winter days. Your ants may be envious, but your kale friends may just be glad to have you around. Soil preparation is key for growing kale in winter. It needs a cold climate with good water availability for successful growing.

Although kale can tolerate milder climates, it is not recommended to grow it in very cold weathers. The stems and leaves are fine in milder winter conditions but should be trimmed away from the roots if planning to harvest leaves or roots in the winter months. Keep in mind that the kale plant will not produce any fruit during winter; you may notice the flowers beginning to bloom again in late spring. Harvesting leaves and stems in late winter gives the garden ample time to catch its breath and prepare for the planting of seedlings for the following season.

The most common way to get around this difficulty is with a cold frame, also called an outer frost frame. These frames are made of plywood panels with plastic “walls” between the panels to act as a barrier against snow and sun. A metal clip or a hook and loop tape is used to attach the frame to the outer wall of the house. The most convenient style has the “cool” inside edge of the frame facing the sun, so that when the plants are growing in the spring they receive all the sunlight they need.

If you plan to seed indoors, place them six to eight weeks before planting. If you place seedlings outside in a cold weather environment they will not have a chance to acclimate to the cold weather before planting. In addition, it would be very difficult to transplant seedlings during a frost.

Most gardeners keep a supply of organic soil at their home to help avoid problems with pests during the growing season. If you decide to use organic soil, make sure to mulch the beds so that weeds cannot enter the vegetable garden. Mow the lawn regularly to keep it short and neat. Be careful about over-mowing the lawn, however, because the leaves from the grass can make their way into the vegetables. In addition, make sure you harvest the vegetables frequently to prevent spoilage.

The best time of year to planting kale seeds is late summer through early fall. These are the optimal temperatures for growing vegetables in any part of the world. However, there are some plants that do better in milder temperatures, such as lettuce, than in extreme temperatures, and kale is one of them.

As far as growing kale in a container, it is not recommended because it will not mature until the late winter or early spring. Because of this, the plants will likely have a shorter lifespan than if you had planted them early in the growing season. It is also important to note that most plants need about four hours of daylight every day in order to grow properly. Kale can only grow for two hours during the day, so it is best to allow it to become acclimated to the evening hours before planting it.

There are many reasons why growing kale in winter is the best way to protect kale plants from harmful insects and cold winters. It gives the plants a chance to mature without damaging their roots. If you want to get the most from your kale, follow these simple steps and you will have beautiful healthy plants for years to come. You will be proud of the beautiful green garden you have created even if it never blooms.