COLD WEATHER CROPS THAT WILL PRODUCE ABUNDANTLY!
When it comes to cold-weather gardening, Kale and Swiss chard are two vegetables that deserve a prime spot in your garden. Not only do they bring a burst of vibrant color to your outdoor space, but they also offer numerous health benefits.
Kale, with its deep green leaves, has earned the title of a superfood for good reason. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, which are essential for a healthy immune system, strong bones, and glowing skin. Additionally, kale is packed with antioxidants that help fight inflammation and protect against chronic diseases. Adding this leafy green to your diet is a surefire way to boost your overall health and well-being.
Swiss Chard is a true gem in the garden with leaves and stalks that come in a variety of vibrant colors, including red, yellow, and green, which can add a visually appealing touch to your garden bed. Not only is Swiss chard beautiful, but it is also a nutritional powerhouse. Like Kale, Swiss Chard is loaded with vitamins A, K, and C, as well as minerals like magnesium and iron. I've learned that by incorporating Swiss Chard into your meals, it can help support healthy digestion, regulate blood pressure, and promote optimal brain function, something I need a lot of these days!
Cold Requirements
When growing kale and Swiss chard, it's important to understand their cold requirements. These vegetables are well-suited for cooler temperatures and can even withstand frost. In fact, the flavor of Kale and Swiss Chard is often enhanced by exposure to colder weather.
Both Kale and Swiss Chard are considered cool-season crops, meaning they thrive in temperatures ranging from 40 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 24 degrees Celsius). However, that being said, I have had great success growing and utilizing these plants even in the warmth of summer! Just make sure you are growing in a shady, cool spot, and trim back to prevent bolting if a heatwave is suspected.
Unlike some other vegetables that may wither in cold weather, Kale and Swiss Chard actually become sweeter and more tender when exposed to cooler temperatures.
Additionally, Kale and Swiss Chard can tolerate light frost, making them excellent choices for fall and winter gardens. In fact, a light frost can enhance the flavor of these vegetables by converting starches into sugars. However, it's important to protect them from severe frost, as it can damage the leaves and hinder their growth. I have a floating row cover I use when I know the temperature is likely to dip and cause damage.
Planting Kale and Swiss Chard
Planting and spacing: When transplanting seedlings or direct sowing seeds, make sure to space them adequately to allow for proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding. For Kale, space the plants about 12 to 18 inches apart, while Swiss Chard requires slightly more space, with a spacing of 18 to 24 inches.
I know when transplanting seedlings, it's hard to not want to "fill up" the space. There's just something about seeing a full container, or garden bed full and thriving - however, you will thank yourself later for keeping the spacing appropriate for full grown beautiful plants!
Regular watering: While Kale and Swiss Chard are relatively drought-tolerant, they still require consistent moisture to thrive. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
In the winter, I rarely have to water the garden, but that's only because of our local climate. You may need to check with your gardening zone to find what is appropriate for your area.
Fertilization: Kale and Swiss chard are heavy feeders, meaning they require regular fertilization to support their growth. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer, such as compost, well-rotted manure, or my favorite- dried seaweed every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. Follow the package instructions for application rates.
Mulch and weed control: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or non sprayed grass clipping, around the base of the plants. Personally, I use the fall leaves that we have a plethora of hanging around our property. This has been the easiest to spread down, and also remove if needed. Mulch will help conserve moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperature. Regularly weed the garden bed to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
Harvesting Kale and Swiss Chard
It's pretty simple, really. The best reason for growing both Kale and Swiss chard is they are "cut-and-come again" plants. You literally can trim leaves, and the plants will continue to grow more for you. I love how easy this is!
To harvest both Kale and Swiss Chard, use a clean sharp knife or garden shears to cut the outer leaves at the base of the plan. This keeps the center intact, which is the growing point for the plant.
By harvesting from the outside of the plant inwards, this ensures you are only taking the largest leaves and allowing the smaller inner leaves to continue to grow and mature. Remember to remove no more than one-third of the leaves from a plant at any one time. If you take more than one-third you could weaken the plant which could bring in pests, and nobody wants that!
Harvest leaves regularly, ideally once or twice a week as they mature to encourage continuous growth.
Not only can both Swiss Chard and Kale can be harvested continuously throughout the growing season, but if you're careful to keep them healthy, they can continue producing year after year from the same plant!
Store harvested leaves in a plastic bag lined with damp paper towels in the refrigerator's crisper drawer for up to a week. For long term storage, I like to use my dehydrator and make "greens powder" for an easy addition to my soups and smoothies.
If harvesting fresh, and storing whole leaves, my favorite way to enjoy kale is in my Zuppa Toscana Soup recipe. This is by far a recipe gem!
If you've been on the fence about whether or not to grow Kale or Swiss Chard, all I can say is, "Give it a try!" - I promise, it will be a beautiful addition to your garden! By growing Kale and Swiss Chard in your cold-weather garden, you not only get to enjoy the beauty of these plants, but also reap the many health benefits they offer.
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I love that some of your tips are showing how it can combined with another meal. It really helps give me ideas as I am just starting out on my journey of trying to make more on my own!