It is possible to grow a leafy vegetable indoors all year round.If you want to grow kale, replant it into larger pots after germinating it in a tray.Provide your plants with a lot of light and moist to help them thrive.It's an excellent addition to salads, smoothies, and other meals.
Step 1: The trays should be filled with a soilless growing medium.
There are drainage holes on the bottom of seed trays.Each container should be filled with 3–4 inches of soil-less growing mix.To make the mix moist, mist or sprinkle water over the containers.Potted soil can clump up and keep plants from draining properly.Try to find varieties that are designed to grow vegetables.It is possible to make your own soil-less growing mix by using perlite, compost, or vermiculite.At garden centers or online, you can purchase seed trays and soil-less growing mix.
Step 2: Plant and cover your seeds with a small amount of medium.
The seeds should be sprinkled in each container.You can cover the seeds with a medium of your choice.If it feels dry, make the medium moist again.
Step 3: Put your seed tray in a warm place.
The warm and moist environment is needed for the seeds to grow.These conditions can be created by covering the seed tray with a plastic bag.The top of your refrigerator is a good place to put the tray.The seeds don't need sunlight to grow.
Step 4: The seeds should be kept moist over the next 4 weeks.
It's important to make sure the seeds don't dry out.Make sure the trays are moist by checking them every few days.Mist or sprinkle the containers with water to keep them moist.The seeds should be planted within 4 weeks.
Step 5: Prepare pots that are at least 30 cm wide and 12 inches deep.
A kale plant needs a container that is about 30 cm deep and 12 inches wide.There are drainage holes at the bottom of pots.The pots should be filled with the same medium you used to grow the seeds in.If you decide to plant multiple plants in one pot, try to provide each plant with at least 12 inches (30 cm) of space to grow.Any material can be used to make the pots if they are large enough and have drainage holes.
Step 6: Carefully remove the seedlings from their trays.
The growing mix should be loosened by using your finger.To avoid damaging the roots, gently remove each seedling.If it makes it easier to remove plants, tip the tray sideways.If your seed tray is made of plastic, push the bottom of the container to release the plants.
Step 7: The plants should be planted as deep as their roots.
Each pot has a small hole that is about the length and width of the seedling's roots.The plant should be inserted into the growing medium.To cover the roots completely, fill the space around them with the growing mix.The growing mix doesn't need the stems of the plants buried in it.
Step 8: To moisten the soil, water the plants just a little.
When the medium is moist, add water around the base of the plant.If the water starts to pool in the pots, stop.Plants can become water-logged if you over-water them.You will have to water the plants in pots.When the medium looks dry, water the plants every few days.
Step 9: Pick a spot that gets at least 4 hours of sun a day.
At least some sun is needed to thrive and grow.If you can, put your pots next to the window.Give your plants partial shade to protect them from the sun's harmful rays.If the temperature is over 70 F, you should move your plants from a sunny spot to one with partial shade.
Step 10: If your home doesn't get much sunlight, buy grow lights.
You will need a lighting system that delivers the light spectrum you need to grow greens indoors.You can mix warm white and cool white bulbs with a 2 or 4 fixture.You need enough lighting to evenly cover your plants.The lights should only be on for 4 hours a day.Plants should be positioned at least 6 inches under the lights.Grow lights can be purchased at a gardening center, hardware store, or online.When fluorescent bulbs turn black, be sure to replace them.T-5 grow lights are more expensive than fluorescent lights but use less energy.
Step 11: Prune your plants to keep them from bolting.
Pruning will keep it from growing fast.Pull off the older leaves of your plants as they reach maturity.The leaves should be severed near the base of the plants to prevent damage.Most plants reach maturity in 55 to 65 days.This can be done every few days.You can include the older leaves in salads and other dishes if you wash them.