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.

Visit our blog for more tasty recipes and gardening tidbits!

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.

Visit our blog for more tasty recipes and gardening tidbits!

It’s watermelon season, folks! We love this sweet and spicy salsa made with fresh watermelon. Make some and serve it up at your next summer barbeque.

What you’ll need:

• zest from 1 lime
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ground black pepper
• 3 cups watermelon, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 8 basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• tortilla chips

To make:

Add zest, juice, sugar, and pepper to a bowl and stir. Add the remaining ingredients and gently toss. Chill in the fridge. Serve with chips and enjoy!

Visit our blog for more tasty recipes and gardening tidbits!

Summer is here and with it comes the magnificent light show of the glowing firefly. Many of us enjoy sitting on the back porch at dusk, watching in awe as the little critters light up the lawn. However, due to habitat destruction and pollution, the firefly populations have shrunk. Here are a few tips to draw these glimmering glow worms to your backyard!

Go Sans Chemicals
We tend to go spray happy in the warm months in order to get rid of mosquitos and other pesky bugs. However, most chemicals don’t discriminate and will likely kill the fireflies as well. Firefly larvae are born underground so any chemicals used for your grass would also be fatal.

Let The Snails Be
Fireflies love munching on slugs, snails, worms, and other slimy things. These brilliant beauties feast on grubs by immobilizing their food-to-be with toxic enzymes before sucking out the liquified body contents. Yummy! As most critters stay where there’s food, leave their viscous victims alone.

Cover Up
Fireflies are nocturnal and hide in tall grass and low-profile plants during the day. Give these guys a place to sleep with a variety of tall grasses, low-growing plants, and a few shrubs.

Go Dark
Fireflies get confused by artificial light. Turn off all interior and exterior lights to allow these luminous lampyridae do their thing!

Pick up a few firefly-friendly goodies at the Greenhouse today!