Kale ’s nutritionary benefitsare well - known , and the leafy green has become a deary with restaurant chef and home cook alike .

Perhaps you love this veggie so muchyou’ve added it to your garden .

But , oh no ! You ’re seeing that some of the leaves of your kale plant ( Brassica oleraceavar.acephala)are wilting !

A close up horizontal image of kale growing in the garden pictured in light autumn sunshine on a soft focus background.

We colligate to vendor to help oneself you incur relevant products . If you buy from one of our contact , we may realize a direction .

What ’s causing this and how do you fix it ? Read on to see more !

What You’ll Learn

Timing Is Everything

First and first off , it ’s important to recognize that kale is a cool - conditions harvest , and itsplanting should be timed consequently . It does n’t like temperature much above 70 ° atomic number 9 .

If you ’ve planted your fall crop a snatch early and Mother Nature has sprung a ardent spell on you , you may see a bit of deflation in the high temperature of the day , but the kale should perk up again as the day cool down .

However , if you plant this veg in May in Texas , for example , you ’re go to see some seriously wilting leaves .

A kale plant is wilting in a vegetable garden. Close up.

Depending on your local climate , of track , you’re able to maybe get crops in both spring and fall . Pay aid to the time - to - harvest entropy point on theback of your seed packetor on the plant life option if you ’ve purchased graft . represent out your schedule for succession planting consequently .

Before You Plant

Give your kale plant a solid foundation by fix an optimal maturate environment . This plant appreciates well - debilitate soil that ’s rich in constitutive matter .

Amend your soil with compost before you plant , and then enforce a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the uprise season , according to package instructions , to ensure your plants are well - feed .

If you ’re planting a spring crop , you may require to found in an expanse that is partially shaded in the afternoon oruse a floating row natural covering with a shade cloth , so as to prevent the plants from overheat , which can cause them to droop .

A vertical close up picture of a kale plant growing in the garden that has started to wilt. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

capitulation - planted kale , again depending on where you live , can tolerate full sun , and so providing specter is n’t as important .

Water, Water, Water

Kale needs plenteous , reproducible moisture – one to two inches of water per week is usually about right . verify you have a compact layer of mulch around your plants to aid with wet retention .

If the kale leaves get too dried out , they are potential to droop .

Additionally , keeping your kale beds weed - gratis will ensure critical resources such as weewee are uncommitted for the kale , rather than for , say , the dandelions .

A vertical close up picture of a kale plant growing in the garden that has started to wilt. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Look Out for Pests and Diseases

Certain fungal diseases can cause kale to wilt . Small , dark spots are often the first sign of a fungous transmission . If you see these , treat your flora with a fungicide right aside .

Thrips can have a bun in the oven a virus that can cause wilt . Treat these pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil . Find more tips for managing a thrips plague here .

aphid are another wilt - causing pestto look out for . Check the undersides of your kale leave occasionally for these small bugs , which can be plow as you would treat thrips . A stiff nebulizer with the hosiery can help as well .

Baby kale plants in a vegetable garden that has had a thick layer of wood chips applied as mulch.

Standing Tall

If you give your kale plants exactly what they need , they ’ll endure proudly at attending in your garden , with nary a bust .

Ensuring the growth of healthy plant bulge out with timing , as well as good internet site selection and preparation .

Make certain plants are watered adequately , and check into for pests now and again .

A close up horizontal image of a healthy, curly kale plant growing in the garden.

Adhere to these uncomplicated principles , and you will have wilt - costless kale for your crop .

If you wantmore information about growing pelf , check out few of these articles :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally published September 30th , 2019 . Last updated April 19th , 2023 . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock .

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Gretchen Heber