Thinning out or moving kale

[walker69]

Hi,

I planted some kale in stations and thinned out a little when they were about 2 in high, they are now about 6/8 in tall and each station now has about 2 or 3 plants.

If I thin out the remainder to individual plants am I able to re plant the others? Seems a shame to waste them. Also, any tips on the best way to do this?

Thanks for the help.

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!!

I have Kale growing and it's about 18"apart
When you move them try to disturb the roots as little as possible and take as much soil with each plant.
Are the roots very intertwined ? If so gently shake the rootball to separate the fine roots.
Plant on in ground you have jumped up and down on to make it compacted and then plant out and water well
Now is a good time to transplant whilst the soil is still warm, there is rain, and no frosts.

Don't waste them..if you have too many- can you give some away- or plant in the flower border to green it up for winter?
Failing that - you could get some chooks!!!...they'll help you eat it up!!!!

[Alison]

Agree with what Nicos is saying but was thinking it was rather late to be planting kale out? Mine's been in it's final position for a couple of months now and I'd thought I was running a bit late.

[walker69]

@nicos - thanks for the advice I'll give it a whirl. I think they'll be pretty entwined so I'll try it with one or two.

@Alison - sorry perhaps i should have mentioned they're already in the ground, I planted them a couple of months ago. It's my first year with an allotment so there's alot of trial and error!

[Alison]

No worries Walker69 - trial and error is usually the best way of working out if something works anyway!

[Snadger]

I was planting out Red curly and Tuscan Kale last weekend. They looked a bit limp at first (as usual) but they are standing up like little soldiers now and should romp away!
Still got loads of spring cabbage (pointy and ball headed) to plant out and PSB likewise.
Brassicas can usually be planted out at any time and will give a succession of crops if used as well as the ones already in situ!

[Twinkle]

I'm of the "ah give it a go - what's the worst that can happen" school of gardening.....