Leafy Greens

Chard and Kale

Chard can be grown year round, but kale can be tricky in the summer, particularly if you live East of the East Bay hills, where temps can be well over 90 degrees F. High temperatures and strong sun may lead to a bitter taste. If you have consistent high temps in summer and still want to grow kale, find a cool spot to place it, or wait until fall or early spring to plant it. Chard is more tolerant and in most places in the county can be grown year round.

• Plant chard seedlings 12-15 inches apart; kale seedlings up to 18 inches apart.
• For chard, use a balanced fertilizer like a 5-10-10 at the time of planting according to package instructions. No other fertilizing is generally needed during the season. For kale, also add nitrogen (perhaps alfalfa pellets) near planting time, as kale is a heavy feeder.
• Both kale and chard need moist soil. Keep the soil consistently moist by watering deeply, and mulching around plants.
• Outer leaves can be harvested continuously as soon as the plant is well established. Harvest by cutting or breaking away the leaf.
• New leaves develop in the center of the plants
• For chard, watch out for pests like leafminers, especially in warmer weather. To avoid leafminers, plant chard in the fall and grow it over the winter.
• Kale is one of the brassica family, and so is susceptible to cabbage worms, especially in warm weather. Try to avoid these by placing lightweight spun cloth row covers to keep the butterflies from laying eggs on the leaves or grow it in the winter when the butterflies have died off for the winter

Arugula

• Arugula is a high water user and requires frequent, uniform watering due to shallow roots. Sandy soils need more frequent watering in smaller amounts.
• Arugula prefers cooler temperatures, so in warm to hot areas, it may do better in partial shade. Arugula bolts (sends up a flower stalk and becomes less tasty) quickly in warm weather and lengthening daylight; consistent watering and lowering the temperature can slow that.
• Bitterness may result from hot weather or inadequate watering.
• Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth. Younger leaves have a milder taste.