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 northern regions with cooler summers, sowing takes place in March, and transplanting occurs 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 begins in September and continues through the end of October, lasting approximately two months.
4) Protected cultivation during autumn, winter, and spring. High-efficiency sunlight greenhouses are recommended for optimal growth. If greenhouse conditions are poor, winter production may decrease. Seedlings are started in August, transplanted in September, and harvesting begins in November when winter sets in. The crop can be harvested continuously 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 grows vigorously, with young leaves that have curled edges, a soft texture, and a strong flavor. It is resistant to both cold and heat, making it ideal for winter planting. The 1000-seed weight ranges from 3 to 5 grams, and about 30 grams per 667 square meters is recommended.
2) Seedling cultivation. Kale can be grown directly or through seedling transplantation. Seedlings should not be too old; their length depends on the size of the planting hole. For nutrition seedlings, 6 cm × 6 cm pots are suitable, and seedlings are ready for transplanting after about 40 days.
3) Soil preparation, fertilization, and weeding. Kale thrives in fertile soil, although it can tolerate less fertile conditions. It has high calcium and phosphorus content, so applying organic fertilizer as a base is essential. Depending on the soil quality and cultivation method, 1500–4000 kg of organic fertilizer per 667 square meters is recommended. Raised beds are typically 1.5 meters wide.
4) Planting and spacing. Transplanting is usually done about 40 days after sowing, with 3000–4000 plants per 667 square meters being ideal. The planting density can be adjusted based on the growing season—more spaced in longer seasons and denser in shorter ones. A common arrangement is three rows spaced 0.4 meters apart on 1.33-meter-wide beds.
5) Crop management. Kale is an easy-to-grow vegetable. With proper temperature, water, and nutrient management, it can thrive. It grows rapidly under favorable conditions.
- **Water management**: After transplanting, water the seedlings immediately. One week later, water again once the seedlings have settled. Keep the soil consistently moist during the vigorous growth phase. In spring, water more frequently due to dry and hot weather. In autumn and winter, reduce watering because of lower temperatures and slower evaporation.
- **Top dressing**: Apply urea at 2.5–5 kg per 667 square meters when seedlings are slow to grow. During the active growth and harvest period, apply compound fertilizer every 15–30 days at 15 kg per application to ensure good yield.
- **Leaf removal**: In long-growing seasons, remove yellow, old, or diseased leaves from the lower part of the plant. This helps reduce nutrient consumption, improves air circulation, and allows better light penetration. It also promotes the growth of new, healthy leaves, ensuring the plant remains vigorous throughout the season.
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