Kale Management: Harvest, Overwintering, and Seed Saving

Year-Round Kale in Washington: Cut, Save Seed, or Replant

Kale is an annual that slows in low light. Options for tall, pale, tough plants:

Immediate Choices

• Harvest remaining tender tips until growth stops, then compost.
• Let a plant flower for seeds (bees love flowers). Collect pods when dry.
• Pull entire plant (roots and all) and compost.

Best Long-Term Strategy

Plant two crops: early spring for summer, late August for winter harvest. Kale sweetens after frost. Find seedlings now for winter production.

Seed Saving Details

Flowers → yellow blooms → pods → tiny black seeds. Dry pods on plant, shake into paper bag, clean, store cool/dry.

Kale thrives in WA winters with minimal protection.