Leaf cabbages or also known as kale are plants that belong to the group of cabbages that are often cultivated for their edible leaves. You should note that these can be used in different types of dishes which makes them a great option for cooks as well. The best thing about planting kale in your gardens is that you can control how it grows out. This allows people to get an even better taste from the leaves so that their dishes can be delicious.
Now that you understand this, another thing to note is the requirements to keep this vegetable healthy depend on the region you are growing it in. Hence, some users from Maryland often ask when to plant kale. When it comes to this, there are certain things that you need to be aware of. This is why we will be using this article to provide you with all the relevant information required regarding this query. Going through it should help you in understanding when the vegetable can be planted along with ways to keep it healthy.
When To Plant Kale In Maryland?
Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state that is mostly known for its abundant waterways and coastlines near the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The local weather of each region plays a huge role in how the vegetables will grow out even though they are in season. Talking about this, Maryland usually has cooler temperatures throughout the year. While it is true that kale requires sunlight for several hours a day, another important factor to consider is that the leaves are also tolerant to cold weather.
Hence, even if you plant them in Maryland then the vegetables should blossom new leaves that can be harvested. The only major issue is that the winters in this region can sometimes go under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The frost condition in this weather will most likely kill your entire kale plant which is why it should be avoided. Keeping this information in mind, people can usually check the time frame of frost in their respective cities. The first thing that you have to do is find when the frost is going to end.
Now that you have this information, people can wait for about 2 weeks to confirm that the frost is over. You can then start planting new seedlings or cuttings of kale inside your garden. It is always better that you start growing the plants while winters are still there. This is because the light touch of cold air can help in making the edible leaves taste several times better. Though, during this time a lot more care is required as your plant is still weak.
Now that you understand this, some more facts that you can be aware of include planting the kale as soon as possible. This is because if you are too late then the vegetable has a lower chance of growing. Even if it does grow, the leaves will be nowhere as delicious as they would be if you had grown them beforehand. People should also make a habit of harvesting vegetables regularly but taking off older leaves is the best way to do it.
This is because harvesting older leaves along with their stem allow newer ones to grow out. You can keep harvesting the plant by repeating the process and enjoying your fresh leaves. In case people notice that the frost is coming back then they must take steps to prevent the kale from getting damaged. Two main ways can be used here, one of which includes moving your plants inside pots. This depends on person to person as you might be harvesting a lot of kale which cannot be moved around easily.
If that is the case, then the second option might suit you a lot better. This solution includes keeping your kale plants under the burlap. These are made from thick materials that can help in keeping the vegetable under them warm for long durations. Though, keep in mind that there is only a slight chance of the burlaps working. You can add fertilizers to your plant and ensure that they have a proper drainage system to increase the chances of survival.