Cultivation Methods and Seasons
1) Open-field cultivation in spring. In the Beijing area, seedlings are usually raised in early February, transplanted in mid-March, and harvested as early as May. The harvest period lasts about two months, continuing until early July.
2) Cultivation in cool summer areas. In the northern regions with cooler summers, sowing is done in March, and transplanting takes place in April. Continuous harvesting can be done from May until the first frost in October.
3) Open-field cultivation in autumn. Seedlings are planted in June and transplanted in July. Harvesting starts in September and continues until the end of October, giving a harvest window of approximately two months.
4) Protected cultivation during autumn, winter, and spring. High-efficiency sunlight greenhouses are ideal for this method. However, if the facilities are not well-maintained, winter production may be lower. Seedlings are started in August and transplanted in September. Harvesting begins just as winter sets in, around November, and continues until May of the following year.
Cultivation Techniques
1) Seed preparation. Currently, the kale variety commonly used in China is Worcester, introduced from the United States. It has strong growth, with curled young leaves, soft texture, and a rich flavor. It is highly resistant to cold and heat, making it suitable for winter planting. The 1000-seed weight is between 3 to 5 grams, and about 30 grams per 667 square meters are recommended.
2) Seedling cultivation. Kale can be grown directly from seeds or through seedling trays. Seedlings should not be too old; their length depends on the size of the planting holes. For nutrition seedlings, 6 cm pots are ideal, and seedlings are ready for transplanting after about 40 days.
3) Soil preparation, fertilization, and weeding. Kale thrives in fertile soil. While it can tolerate poor conditions, it prefers rich, well-drained land. Its leaves contain high levels of calcium and phosphorus, so applying organic fertilizer as a base is essential. Depending on the land's fertility and cultivation method, 1500 to 4000 kg of organic fertilizer per 667 square meters is recommended. Raised beds are typically 1.5 meters wide.
4) Planting and spacing. Transplanting can begin about 40 days after sowing. A density of 3000 to 4000 plants per 667 square meters is ideal. For longer growing seasons, spacing can be wider, while shorter seasons require denser planting. A common layout is three rows spaced 0.4 meters apart on a 1.33-meter-wide bed.
5) Crop management. Kale is an easy-to-grow vegetable. With proper temperature control and adequate water and fertilizer, it grows quickly and vigorously.
- Water management: After transplanting, watering is necessary. One week later, seedlings should be watered again once they have adjusted. During the vigorous growth phase, keep the soil consistently moist. In spring, when it's hot and dry, regular watering is important. In autumn and winter, when temperatures are low and evaporation is slow, watering should be minimized.
- Fertilization: If seedlings grow slowly, apply fertilizer with irrigation water, using 2.5 to 5 kg of urea per 667 square meters. Before entering the main harvest period, combine nitrogen fertilizers with compound fertilizers every 15 to 30 days, at a rate of about 15 kg each time.
- Leaf pruning: During long growing seasons, remove yellow, old, or diseased leaves from the lower part of the plant. This reduces nutrient consumption and improves air circulation and light penetration. It also allows new, healthy leaves to produce more nutrients, supporting overall plant growth.
Natural Pure Essential Oil
FOSHAN PHARMA CO., LTD. , https://www.forepharm.com