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!

We are so excited to have delicious pizza served up by Marcos Pizza and small-batch hard ciders poured by Sage Bird Ciderworks here at our annual Virginia Pumpkin Festival, October 14-15 and October 21-22!

Located at 325 N Liberty St, Sage Bird Ciderworks is Harrisonburg’s first cidery and uses locally sourced fruit and flavors to produce small-batch, hand-crafted hard cider. After six years of continuous practice and education, they opened up shop in 2020 and are now able to share their award-winning ciders with the community.

Marcos Pizza is new to Harrisonburg, but they’ve been making authentic slices since 1978. We are happy to have them here in our community. They have one location at 1168 Virginia Ave Ste 102 and another location coming soon. Come enjoy a hot, gooey slice of pizza here at the farm!

Visit our blog for more fall fun!

Sip Into Fall with Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

As the leaves turn golden and the air carries a slight chill, it’s time to welcome the cozy flavors of fall. Ditch the high prices at the coffee shop and opt for a homemade experience that won’t break the bank. The Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate recipe is easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a decadent treat that rivals any professional barista’s creation.

What you need:

• Pumpkin Purée
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Cinnamon sugar
• Vanilla extract
• White Chocolate Chips
• Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Whipped Cream (optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, milk, and heavy cream.
2. Stir until the ingredients are well mixed and heat the mixture over medium heat.
3. Once the mixture starts to boil, add in the white chocolate chips.
4. Stir until the white chocolate has completely melted.
5. Pour mixture into your favorite mug, top with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and enjoy!

Visit our blog for more tasty recipes!