Want to know how to plant kale in a greenhouse in Indiana? Kale is a cold-loving plant that’s best grown in cooler areas like Indiana. The cool weather plays a part in growing healthy and delicious kale as it brings out the nutty flavor and the sweetness of your leafy greens.
The Best Time to Plant Kale in Indiana
The key to growing delicious fruits and vegetables is knowing the best time to plant them. Taking note of the first and last frost dates will let you know when to start planting your kale. Indiana is located in the 5 and 6 USDA plant hardiness zone. Here’s the best time to plant kale in Indiana:
Start kale seeds indoors in early April and harvest by the end of June; OR start kale seeds mid-July and harvest by the end of October.
Start kale seeds indoors mid-March and harvest by mid-June; OR start kale seeds indoors early August and harvest by mid-November.
How to Plant Kale in Indiana
Planting kale in Indiana doesn’t have to be difficult. To give you a clear snapshot of how to do it, check out this guide:
Sowing kale seeds or setting plants
Sow the seeds half an inch into light, airy, well-drained soil. Once it grows into seedlings (usually after two weeks), thin the seedlings so your plants are at least eight inches apart.
If you’re starting with plants, as most people do, plant them into your garden at the depth similar to how they’re growing in their pots. Space them at least 18 inches apart. After planting your seeds or plants, make sure to water them well.
Water and feed your kale plants regularly with continuous-release plant food. If it doesn’t rain much in your area, provide an inch or an inch and a half of water per week.
Keep in mind that kale won’t grow well in hot weather, so make sure to mulch the soil. Mulching also helps in preventing weeds from forming. After the first hard freeze, don’t forget to mulch the soil again. Your kale plants may continue to produce leaves even after winter.
Kale will be ready for harvesting if the leaves are as big as the size of your hand. Pick a handful of kale leaves per harvest and start by getting the oldest leaves located at the lowest part of the plant. Throw away torn and yellowed leaves.
Don’t pick the terminal bud located at the top center of your kale plant because this part keeps your kale productive. Kale plants continue to grow even when temperatures drop to 20 degrees F, and it’ll taste sweeter if hit by frost. If you want to extend your growing season or harvest, protect your plants from the cold by placing them inside a mini greenhouse.
Storing kale is similar to storing other leafy greens. You can place kale in a produce bag (but don’t stuff them inside!) and store in in the fridge. Consume within a week before it starts to wilt.
Reasons Why It’s Best to Grow Kale in a Mini Greenhouse
If you’re initially planning to plant your kale directly in your garden, think again. Since you can control the temperature inside a greenhouse, growing kale in a mini greenhouse lets you enjoy kale throughout the year, even if the weather is hot outside!
Aside from that, here are other reasons why you should grow kale in a greenhouse:
Protect your plants from harmful pests
Cabbageworms, cabbage aphids, flea beetles, rodents, raccoons, and other insects and animals love to eat your kale. Keeping them inside a greenhouse protects them from these annoying critters. It also shields them from any infectious diseases from neighboring plants.
Keep them safe from unpredictable weather conditions
Excessive heat, heavy rains, storms, and strong winds can easily damage your plants. Placing them inside a greenhouse makes it easier to grow kale and other vegetables in unpredictable weather conditions, like Indiana. Indiana residents experience severe fluctuations in temperature, along with random arrival of rain and other weather conditions, so having a greenhouse comes in handy.
Perfect for gardeners with limited space
Kale needs space to grow, so if you don’t have enough space, you can consider getting a mini greenhouse. The standard size of a “small” greenhouse is around 6 feet, but there are smaller alternatives as well. You can place a mini greenhouse on balconies, patios, decks, and even on tabletops. Even if it’s smaller in size, you’ll enjoy the same benefits as a regular-sized greenhouse.
Ideal for beginners in greenhouse technology
Mini greenhouses are an ideal solution for gardeners who want to learn more about greenhouse gardening. Investing in a larger, more permanent greenhouse is expensive. It’s best to learn how a greenhouse works and how well plants thrive inside before upgrading to a large greenhouse. A mini greenhouse allows you to do all that without at a cheaper price.
Final Thoughts on How to Plant Kale in a Greenhouse in Indiana
Now that you know how to plant kale in a greenhouse in Indiana, the next thing you need to do is to get started. Growing kale is easier in a mini greenhouse, so make sure to consider getting one for your gardening needs.