How to Grow Kale in Pots: A Beginner’s Guide

Kale is a super healthy and tasty leafy green that’s packed with vitamins and minerals. Its crinkly leaves add texture and color to salads, smoothies, soups and more. While kale thrives in vegetable gardens, you can also grow it successfully in containers.

Here is a beginner’s guide to growing kale in pots on a patio, balcony or any small space.

Choose a Container

First, select an appropriate pot for your kale:

• Size – For one plant, choose a container at least 12 inches wide and deep. For multiple plants, go bigger

• Material – Use a pot with drainage holes made of plastic, ceramic, wood or other durable materials.

• Shape – Pick a pot shape and size that fits your space. Round, square or rectangular planters all work.

Make sure the container is big enough to accommodate kale’s long taproot and has holes for drainage. Kale can grow in smaller containers but thrives with ample room for roots.

Use a Quality Potting Mix

Kale needs nutrient-rich soil to grow best. When planting in pots, use a high quality potting mix or soilless growing medium.

• Look for mixes containing compost or organic fertilizers to provide nutrients.

• Avoid blends with water retaining gels or sponges as kale prefers soil that drains well.

• For big pots, mix in additional perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.

Good potting soil helps kale grow lush and productive in containers. You can also add compost or organic granular fertilizer.

Pick a Sunny Spot

Kale thrives best in full sun. When growing in pots:

• Place containers in a spot receiving at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.

• Avoid shady areas of your patio or balcony. Kale appreciates morning sun the most.

• Rotate pots occasionally to ensure even sun exposure.

Maximizing sunlight helps kale grow rapidly and produce the most nutritious leaves possible.

Direct Sow or Transplant

You can start kale from seed directly sown in pots or transplant purchased seedlings:

Direct sowing:

• Wait until after the last frost date when soil is at least 40°F.

• Sow seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep in moist potting mix. Space 2-6 inches apart.

• Keep soil moist and thin crowded seedlings.

Transplanting:

• Gently remove seedlings from their pots, handling the stems, not roots.

• Plant at the same level they were growing in the nursery pot.

• Water well and shelter from sun a few days until established.

Both direct sowing and transplants work well. With transplants, you get a head start on harvest.

Water and Feed Regularly

Don’t let containers dry out. Kale needs consistent moisture for healthy growth.

• Check soil moisture daily. Water pots when the top inch is dry.

• Add a thick layer of mulch to help retain moisture.

• Feed growing kale every 3-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer or compost tea.

Providing adequate water and nutrition ensures your container kale thrives. Drip irrigation systems also work well.

Protect from Pests

Kale can fall victim to pests like caterpillars, aphids and flea beetles. Here’s how to protect container plants:

• Place sticky traps near plants to catch adults.

• Remove larvae, eggs or bugs by hand and drop them in soapy water.

• Guard plants with floating row covers or mesh nets.

• Spray leaves with neem oil or natural insecticidal soap.

Catch infestations early before bugs can damage your crop. Always start with organic solutions before stronger pesticides.

Harvest Often

• Pick lower leaves first when they reach about 8 inches long.

• Use scissors to cut leaves off at the stem or gently pluck by hand.

• Harvest frequently, leaving the growing center intact.

• Remove entire plants after heavy frosts or when they start to bolt.

Regular harvesting keeps kale productive. Pick leaves young and tender for salad or let them mature for cooking.

Grow Multiple Crops

One benefit of containers is you can grow multiple rounds of kale in a season:

• Sow seeds every 3-4 weeks to ensure a steady supply.

• Stagger plantings so all don’t bolt at once in heat.

• Clear spent plants promptly and refresh potting mix to replant.

• Have different varieties like Red Russian and Dinosaur maturing at different times.

Successive sowing lets you harvest kale all season long from a small space!

Tips for Growing Kale in Pots

Follow these tips for success:

• Provide at least 5-6 hours of sun daily. Morning sun is ideal.

• Use container-friendly varieties like Dwarf Blue Curled.

• Add mulch to help retain soil moisture and cool roots.

• Rotate pots occasionally for even sunlight on all sides.

• Stake tall plants if needed to prevent toppling.

• Pinch out the main stem once plants reach 12 inches tall for bushier growth.

• Harvest leaves when young and tender for the best flavor.

With the right care, kale thrives and produces abundantly in containers!

Common Problems Growing Kale in Pots

Here are some potential issues and how to resolve them:

Seeds don’t sprout: Ensure fresh seeds. Soak in water before planting. Cover lightly with soil. Keep moist.

Leaves are small: Increase sunlight, water and fertilizer appropriately. Pinch out center stem.

Wilting leaves: Check for pests, then increase watering frequency. Don’t let pots dry out.

Leggy growth: Give more sun. Pinch out center stem.

Holes in leaves: Identify the pest, remove by hand and use row covers. Apply organic pesticides only if necessary.

Slow growth: Feed with a balanced fertilizer and make sure pots get at least 6 hours of sun.

Harvesting Kale from Pots

• Begin harvesting lower leaves when they reach about 5-8 inches long.

• Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut leaves off at the stem.

• Don’t remove more than 1/3 of leaves at a time.

• Harvest frequently for continual production.

• Entire plants can be harvested after heavy frosts or before they bolt in summer heat.

Enjoy eating fresh kale straight from your container garden!

Uses for Container Grown Kale

Kale provides tasty, nutrient-packed leaves perfect for:

• Salads – Add raw young leaves to green salads for crunch.

• Smoothies – Blend kale into fruit smoothies.

• Soups – Add chopped kale to bean, potato, minestrone or chicken noodle soups.

• Sauteed – Saute chopped kale leaves in olive oil and garlic.

• Steamed – Lightly steam mature kale leaves until tender.

• Casseroles – Mix kale into lasagna, pasta bakes or casseroles.

• Pesto – Make a zesty pesto sauce from kale.

• Chips – Bake or dehydrate kale leaves into crispy kale chips.

With multiple harvests, a few pots can provide kale all season for salads, sides, soups and more!

Final Thoughts

Growing kale in containers is simple and rewarding. Provide fertile potting soil, ample sunlight and consistent water to keep your kale happy. Harvest leaves frequently for a continual supply of healthy greens.

With a bit of care, kale is easy to cultivate in pots on patios, decks and balconies. And you’ll enjoy harvesting garden-fresh superfood greens steps from your kitchen!

Both beginners and experienced gardeners can succeed at growing container kale. The plants are compact but productive, thriving in pots of all sizes. Plant some kale this season for a nutritious crop right at your fingertips.