Kale and Collard Greens

Bred for leaf growth, kale (var. sabellica) and collard greens (var. viridis) are cultivars of the same species as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. I’m not the biggest fan of kale, and yet it’s always growing and thriving in my garden. I find it architecturally interesting, and it looks beautiful in my urban garden. I use it in smoothies or as a substitute for spinach, in coleslaws, soups, and braises.

Growth pattern: Although they prefer cooler temperatures, spring-planted kale and collard greens can grow through the summer and into fall and even winter. In milder regions, they can be planted in the fall and continue to grow for months undeterred. As biennial crops, they will spend their first year focusing on producing leaves. In their second year, they will focus on reproducing and go to seed (bolting). I recommend starting with new seedlings every year to ensure abundant leafy harvests. Kale and collard greens can also be densely planted and harvested in baby leaf form to be consumed raw in salads, similarly to arugula and mesclun mixes.