Kale has become a staple in many kitchens and gardens due to its vibrant leaves and powerhouse nutrients. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, cultivating kale in your garden is a rewarding experience that offers beauty and nutrition. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing kale successfully.

Before planting, consider the kale variety that suits your taste preferences and growing conditions. At Back Home on the Farm, varieties include Rainbow Candy Crush, Prizm, Kalebration, and Winterbor. Each variety provides a unique flavor profile and visual appeal, so choose one that best suits your culinary and aesthetic preferences.

Kale thrives in cool weather, making it an excellent choice for spring and fall gardens. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Ensure that your soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth.

Plant kale seeds directly into the garden bed or start with seedlings for a head start. Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart. If transplanting seedlings, space them similarly. Water the seeds or seedlings thoroughly after planting to help establish their roots.

Kale is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from regular watering, especially during dry spells. Keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering, as kale roots can rot in waterlogged soil. Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilize kale plants with a balanced fertilizer once a month to promote healthy growth. Monitor plants for pests such as aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. Handpick any pests or use organic insecticidal soap to keep them at bay.

One of the best things about growing kale is its continual harvest. Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach your desired size, typically around 8 to 10 inches long. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves above the central stem. Regular harvesting encourages new growth and prolongs the harvest period.

Once you’ve harvested your kale, it’s time to enjoy its nutritional benefits in various culinary delights. Add fresh kale leaves to salads, sauté them with garlic and olive oil, or blend them into smoothies for a nutritious boost. You can also preserve kale by blanching and freezing it for later use.

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Growing vegetables requires surprisingly little space. Container gardening, the practice of growing plants in containers instead of in the ground, has emerged as a suitable option for people with limited yard space to grow their own food. Read the tips below to embrace the joys and overcome the challenges of container gardening, transforming your balcony, patio, or windowsill into a vibrant urban garden.

Unleashing Creativity with Containers

One of the most enchanting aspects of container gardening is the freedom it offers. From classic terracotta pots to repurposed wooden crates, the possibilities are endless. This versatility not only caters to the practical needs of the plants but also adds a personal touch to your small green space, reflecting your style and creativity. If you move, you can also take them with you, which is great for renters.

Choosing the Right Plants

The key to a thriving container garden is selecting the right plants. While almost any plant can be grown in a container, some are more suited to confined spaces than others. Herbs like basil, mint, and thyme are excellent for beginners due to their hardiness and utility. Compact vegetables like cherry tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and radishes are also great options. 

The Art of Potting

Successful container gardening hinges on proper potting. Choosing the right soil is crucial, as garden soil is too dense for container use. Instead, opt for a high-quality potting mix that ensures good drainage and aeration, which is critical for healthy root development. Additionally, ensure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Maximizing Limited Space

Urban gardening often means working with limited space, but with a bit of ingenuity, this constraint can become an asset. Vertical gardening techniques, such as hanging baskets, wall-mounted planters, or tiered shelving units, can significantly maximize your gardening space.

Nurturing Your Garden

Due to limited soil volume, container plants require more attention than their in-ground counterparts. Regular watering is essential, as containers dry out faster, especially during hot weather. However, avoid overwatering, as this can be just as detrimental as under-watering. Monitoring your plants for pests and diseases is also vital, as early detection can prevent potential outbreaks.

Embracing the Seasons

Container gardening offers the unique advantage of mobility. With the changing seasons, you can easily move your containers to optimize sunlight exposure or protect sensitive plants from harsh weather. This adaptability extends the growing season and ensures the longevity of your garden.

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Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg offers a blend of cultural experiences, family-friendly attractions, and culinary delights, making it a delightful destination for visitors in the Shenandoah Valley. Whether you’re interested in history, interactive learning, delicious food, or craft beverages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this charming city.

Shenandoah Heritage Market

The Shenandoah Heritage Market is the area’s largest country market, where you can sample Old Fashioned Valley Goodness. It’s a unique shopping destination with a relaxed atmosphere, complete with water gardens and park benches. You can explore over 20 locally owned and operated shops, making it a great place to discover and enjoy a taste of the region’s past.

Explore More Discovery Center

Formerly known as the Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, the Explore More Discovery Center is a non-profit museum that focuses on interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences for children. It offers a variety of fun classes, including cooking, building things out of recycled materials, and engaging in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects. This is an excellent place for kids to have hands-on learning experiences.

Back Home on the Farm

Throughout the year, Back Home on the Farm offers over 40 attractions that vary seasonally, ensuring there’s always something exciting to do. Their spring greenhouse is a haven for garden enthusiasts with a wide selection of plants, flowers, and gardening supplies. Summer offers out-of-school kids fun in the country. The farm is home to the Virginia Pumpkin Festival where families can enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, their famous apple cider donuts, and 40+ attractions.

Marco’s Pizza

After a day of exploring Harrisonburg, you can satisfy your hunger by stopping at Marco’s Pizza. This restaurant offers authentic Italian pizza with a variety of toppings, served hot and cheesy. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy some delicious pizza.

Sage Bird Ciderworks

Sage Bird Ciderworks is Harrisonburg’s first and only cidery. They specialize in producing small-batch, hand-crafted hard cider using locally sourced fruits and flavors. This cidery honors tradition while embracing the future, making it a fantastic spot for cider enthusiasts and those looking to experience locally crafted beverages.

Plan your Harrisonburg adventure today!

Pumpkin Carving Made Easy for Fall and Halloween

With the impending spookiness of Halloween, it’s time to embrace the season and get creative with some pumpkin carving. Here are some fantastic tips for crafting Jack O’ Lanterns that will impress your neighbors and keep your porch looking aMAZEing.

Tip 1: Choose the Perfect Pumpkin

The first step to creating a stunning Jack O’ Lantern is selecting the right pumpkin. Look for one with a flat bottom to prevent it from rolling around on your porch. Ensure it’s fresh with a solid stem and no signs of bruising. There’s a wide variety of carving pumpkins to choose from, such as the classic Jack, Kratos, Gladiator, and Early King. And don’t forget about some unique options like Polar Bear and New Moon, which are white carving varieties. We have 60+ pumpkin varieties here at Back Home on the Farm.

Tip 2: Cut with Precision

Ever experienced the frustration of cutting the top off a pumpkin only to find yourself plunging into a gooey mess? Say goodbye to that sticky situation by cutting the lid at an angle. This clever technique will make it much easier to access the interior of the pumpkin without the mess.

Tip 3: Equip Yourself with the Right Tools

Having the right tools is essential for achieving your pumpkin carving goals. A keyhole saw is one of the best options for cutting the lid off a pumpkin. Its sharp teeth can effortlessly slice through the thick pumpkin shell, and the flexible blade makes it perfect for creating curved cuts. Other handy tools for your carving adventure include hole cutters, wood gauges, and even a power drill. For scooping out the pulp, melon ballers or ice cream scoops work like a charm.

Tip 4: Keep Your Creation Fresh

Nothing’s worse than investing time and effort into carving a pumpkin only to watch it rot away within a few days. To keep your masterpiece fresh and vibrant until Halloween, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the cut edges. If your pumpkin starts to shrivel, you can revive it by soaking it in cold water for up to 8 hours.

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Make the most of this fall season by visiting our farm, where you can enjoy heaps of fun activities!