🥬 Grow Guide: Nutritious & Mild Kale Microgreens

Kale microgreens are a fantastic and fast way to consume one of the world's most nutritious vegetables. They have a mild, fresh, and slightly sweet flavor, making them versatile for many dishes. As a fast-growing Brassica, Kale is also a reliable and great choice for beginners.

Here is your straightforward guide to growing a full Farmer You Kitchen Kit of these healthy greens.

Step 1: Prep & Sow

Data Point	Kale
Seed Weight per Kitchen Kit	10 Grams
Needs Pre-Soak?	No
Optimal Germination Temp	70 to 75 degrees F

1. Prepare the Tray: Place an 8x8 germination pad in the kitchen kit tray and fully saturate the pad, draining off excess water.

2. Skip the Soak: Kale seeds are small and fast-sprouting, and do not require pre-soaking.

3. Sow the Seeds: Evenly broadcast 10 grams of dry Kale seeds across the surface of the grow pad.

4. Mist: Lightly mist the sown seeds one last time to ensure good seed-to-pad contact.

Step 2: Blackout & Weighting

Blackout and weighting is not a necessary step with the Farmer You Kitchen Kit, but it can lead to increased productivity. If you wish to forgo the blackout and weighting, simply place the germination cover over your tray until the seeds have sprouted.

Data Point	Kale
Weighted Days	2–3
Blackout Days	3–4
Notes on Germination	Good germination rate; keep consistently moist but not saturated.

1. Apply Weight (Days 1–3): Place a second tray (or some other flat waterproof object) directly on top of the seeds. Place a weight (5 lbs) on the top tray for 2–3 days. This pressure encourages the roots to grow down and the stems to grow straight and sturdy.

2. Continue Blackout (Days 3–4): After removing the weight, keep the trays stacked or covered in a dark spot for a total of 3–4 days until the seedlings are about 1 inch tall.

   

Step 3: Grow & Water

Data Point	Kale
Other Tips	Excellent nutritional profile. Good beginner crop.

1. Introduce Light: Once the seedlings are standing up, move them under a bright grow light or into a sunny spot. They will quickly turn a healthy green.

2. Watering: Switch entirely to bottom watering. Pour water in along the sides of the tray and let the growing medium wick the moisture up. Keeping the leaves dry is crucial for all Brassicas to prevent mold.

3. Airflow: Good airflow helps strengthen the stems and reduces the risk of fungal issues.

Step 4: Harvest

Data Point	Kale
Days Until Harvest	8–14

1. Timing: Your Kale microgreens will be ready for harvest in 8–14 days.

2. Look for Cotyledons: Harvest when the cotyledons (the first pair of leaves) are fully developed and green. You can usually wait until the true leaves are just starting to emerge for maximum size.

3. Cut: Use a sharp knife or clean scissors, cutting the shoots just above the root level.

4. With the MagniMoist pad, harvesting is a breeze! Simply hold the pad vertically above a bowl and allow the greens to fall into the bowl as you cut along the stems.

Enjoy the highly nutritious and mild flavor of your Kale microgreens!