How To Harvest Kale

Learning how to harvest kale is the key to enjoying this nutritious green for months. Getting it right means your plants will keep producing new leaves, giving you a steady supply. This guide will walk you through simple and efficient techniques to make the most of your kale plants, whether you have a big garden or a few pots on a balcony.

Kale is one of the most rewarding crops you can grow. It’s cold-hardy, productive, and becomes even sweeter after a frost. But if you harvest it incorrectly, you can accidentally damage the plant and stop its growth. The good news is that harvesting kale properly is very easy once you know the basic methods.

There are two main ways to pick kale: harvesting the outer leaves and cutting the whole plant. The first method is the most common and allows for continuous growth. The second is useful at the end of the season or if you need a lot of leaves at once. Let’s look at the tools you’ll need first.

Essential Harvesting Tools

You don’t need much equipment to harvest kale successfully. Having the right simple tools makes the job cleaner and healthier for the plant.

Sharp Scissors or Garden Snips: This is the best tool for the job. A clean cut prevents tearing and reduces the risk of disease entering the stem.
Gloves (Optional): Kale stems can be a bit tough, and gloves keep your hands clean and protected.
A Basket or Bowl: Something to collect your harvested leaves in so they don’t get bruised.

When is Kale Ready to Harvest?

Timing is flexible with kale, which is part of its appeal. You can start harvesting quiet early for tender baby greens.

Baby Kale: You can begin cutting small leaves when they are about 2 to 3 inches long. These are perfect for salads.
Mature Leaves: For larger, cooking greens, wait until leaves are about the size of your hand. This usually takes 55 to 75 days from planting, depending on the variety.
The Best Time of Day: Harvest in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. Leaves are crispest and most hydrated then.

Signs of Peak Readiness

Look for leaves that are deep in color and firm. They should snap crisply when bent. Avoid yellowing or wilted leaves, as these are past their prime.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Harvesting Outer Leaves

This “cut-and-come-again” method is the standard technique for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season. It encourages the plant to produce new growth from it’s center.

Identify the Right Leaves: Start with the oldest, largest leaves on the outside of the plant. Leave the small, inner leaves at the center (the growing point) completely undisturbed.
Grasp the Leaf Stem: Hold the leaf stem from underneath with one hand.
Make Your Cut: With your snips in the other hand, cut the stem about an inch above where it connects to the main stalk. Do not cut the central bud.
Work Your Way Around: Move around the plant, taking a few outer leaves from each side. Never take more than one-third of the total leaves at one time.
Check for Pests: As you harvest, glance at the undersides of leaves for common pests like aphids or cabbage worms.

How to Harvest an Entire Kale Plant

Sometimes you need to clear space or harvest before a harsh freeze. Here’s how to do a full harvest.

Choose Your Timing: Do this in the late fall or when the plant is very mature.
Cut the Main Stem: Using a sharp knife or pruners, cut the main stalk about 2 inches above the soil level.
Strip the Leaves: Once the plant is cut, you can remove all leaves from the tough central stem.

If you cut high enough, some cold-hardy varieties may even send up new, small leaves in spring.

Post-Harvest Handling and Storage

How you handle kale after picking makes a huge difference in how long it stays fresh and tasty.

Washing: Wash leaves thoroughly in a bowl of cool water to remove soil and any insects. A splash of vinegar can help. Dry completely in a salad spinner or with towels.
Refrigeration: Store dry kale in a plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. It should last for about a week in the crisper drawer.
Freezing for Long-Term Storage: For year-round use, kale freezes beautifully. Blanch leaves in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Drain, squeeze out water, and store in freezer bags.

Encouraging Regrowth After Harvest

To keep your kale productive, a little care after harvesting goes a long way. Plants can get stressed if you take to many leaves at once.

Water Lightly: Give your plants a gentle watering after a big harvest to help them recover.
Light Fertilizing: A light feeding with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every few weeks will support new leaf production.
Remove Flower Bolts: If a central stem starts to shoot up and form flowers (bolting), cut it off immediately. This can sometimes redirect energy back to leaf growth, though the leaves may become more bitter.

Common Harvesting Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make these errors. Avoiding them ensures a healthier, longer-lasting kale patch.

Pulling Instead of Cutting: Yanking leaves can uproot the whole plant or damage the main stem. Always cut.
Harvesting the Central Bud: The small leaves in the very center are the plant’s engine. If you cut these, the plant will stop growing.
Overharvesting: Taking to many leaves at once shocks the plant. Stick to the one-third rule.
Waiting Too Long: Very old, tough leaves are less pleasant to eat and can slow down new production.

Seasonal Harvesting Tips

Kale’s behavior changes with the seasons, and your harvesting strategy can to.

Spring and Summer Harvest

Growth is fast. Harvest frequently to keep leaves tender and prevent them from becoming to large and fibrous. Watch closely for bolting as temperatures rise.

Fall and Winter Harvest

Kale’s flavor is sweetest after a frost. You can harvest leaves even from under snow. In very cold climates, a thick layer of mulch helps protect the plant’s crown for winter harvesting.

FAQ: Your Kale Harvest Questions Answered

How often can I harvest my kale plant?

You can harvest outer leaves every week or two during the peak growing season. The plant will constantly produce new growth from the center as long as it’s healthy.

Can you harvest kale after it flowers?

Leaves become more bitter and tough after the plant bolts (flowers). You can still eat them, but it’s best to harvest the main crop before this happens. The flower buds themselves are also edible and are sometimes called “kale raab.”

Why are my kale leaves so tough?

Toughness usually comes from letting leaves grow to large or from hot, dry weather. Harvest leaves when they are a manageable size and ensure consistent watering.

How do you pick kale so it keeps growing?

By only taking the outer, mature leaves and always leaving the central growing bud intact, you allow the plant to keep producing new leaves for months.

What is the best way to pick kale for salads?

For salads, pick young, tender leaves about 2-4 inches long. These “baby kale” leaves are much more delicate and have a milder flavor than the larger, mature leaves which are better for cooking.

Mastering how to harvest kale is a simple skill that maximizes your garden’s yield. By following these efficient techniques—cutting the outer leaves, avoiding the center bud, and handling your harvest with care—you’ll enjoy an abundant supply of this superfood. Remember, regular, gentle harvesting is the secret to a happy, long-lived kale plant. With a little practice, it will become a quick and rewarding part of your gardening routine.