Kale microgreens are one of the fastest and easiest to grow microgreens, making them an excellent choice for beginner microgreen gardeners. Kale microgreens are filled with antioxidants, minerals, and antioxidants.
Kale microgreens have compounds that aid in the detoxification process to help remove carcinogens in the body, which may help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to this, kale contains substantial amounts of vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C to promote collagen production, reduce the risk of cancer, and boost the immune system.
The polyphenols found in kale can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, stroke, and high blood pressure. Finally, kale contains carotene that improves eye health by reducing the effects of aging and cellular degeneration of the eye tissues.
Growing kale microgreens is simple. Check out our handy microgreen profile for the pertinent growing information about kale microgreens.
| Attribute | Profile |
| Flavor | Nutty, broccoli flavor |
| Pre-Soak (Yes/No) | No |
| Color | Pale green tops on white to light pink stems |
| Germination Time | 2 to 3 days |
| Harvest Time | 8 to 12 days |
| Green Thumb Level (1-5) | 1 – Kale microgreens are one of the easiest to grow microgreens on the market. |
Kale microgreens are easy to grow, delicious, and full of important nutrients to improve your health. The mild brassica flavor pairs beautifully with corn microgreens, carrot microgreens, and other microgreens with sweet undertones.
Whether you are new to microgreen gardening or have been growing microgreens for quite some time, you may have questions. We have gathered the most frequently asked questions about kale microgreens and have provided you with easy to understand answers.
Kale microgreens will not regrow after harvesting. Once you have harvested your kale microgreens, compost the soil and roots and start a tray of kale microgreens.
Kale microgreens are fast growing. You should expect a bountiful harvest within 8 to 12 days after planting.
Kale microgreens are delicious and pair beautifully with your favorite pasta dishes, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. The crisp, nutty brassica flavor is delightful when paired with sweet herbs and microgreens.
Kale microgreens taste similar to other types of brassicas; however, their flavor is milder and sweeter, resulting in a delightful microgreen.
Growing kale microgreens is easy. They can be grown using several different growing methods; however, in order to ensure success. We recommend the following growing method. The supplies listed below will ensure you can successfully grow kale microgreens.
A starter kit provides you with the pieces of equipment needed to grow kale microgreens. True Leaf Market's Deluxe Starter Kit provides you with the equipment you need to grow kale microgreens.
If you prefer, you can purchase the equipment needed to grow kale microgreens separately. There are also optional pieces of equipment, listed separately, that can help make growing microgreens easy and maximize your harvest.
Kale is very easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of growing mediums, including coconut coir and seed starting growing medium. Our first choice when it comes to growing microgreens is coconut coir.
Coconut Coir
Coconut coir is a renewable growing medium that retains moisture without increasing the risk of soilborne diseases like mold and mildew. This growing medium has a neutral pH, making it a wonderful choice for kale microgreens.
Seed Starting Growing Medium
A seed starting growing medium is designed to provide your kale microgreen seeds with the nutrients needed for an optimal crop. This fine grained soil is similar to the potting soil that most people are accustomed to using.
You will need three trays to grow your kale microgreens. Two trays will not have drainage holes and one tray will have drainage holes. You will use two trays for the bottom and one tray for the top. Typically, microgreen gardeners prefer to use 10 inch by 20 inch growing trays; however, there are other sizes available, including 10 inch square growing trays.
Growing Tray with Drainage Holes
You will need one growing tray with drainage holes for your kale microgreens. This tray will be placed inside a growing tray without drainage holes and will allow you to water your kale microgreens from the bottom to help reduce the risk of soilborne diseases.
Growing Trays without Drainage Holes
You will need two growing trays without drainage holes for your kale microgreens. One tray will be used as a blackout, humidity dome. The other tray will be used to hold the water when you are watering from the bottom.
A misting bottle or spray can allows you to gently water the seeds without disturbing the seed placement or any delicate roots that are developing.
A light source like a full spectrum LED grow light will provide your kale microgreens with consistent light so they can grow. Microgreens that are grown under a grow light have a larger, healthier harvest than those not grown under a grow light.
A heating mat is optional; however, it can help improve the germination process and produce a larger crop.
A planting rack allows you to grow your kale microgreens vertically to save on space. It also helps you to easily attach your kale grow lights, kale heating mat, and kale circulation fans.
Circulation fans are used to reduce the risk of soilborne diseases.
There are many different kale microgreen seed options available. Purchasing your seeds from a reputable company like True Leaf Market ensures a bountiful harvest. Here are the current kale microgreen seed offerings available.
Red Russian Kale Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's Red Russian kale microgreen seeds feature dark green leaves with beautiful red, pink, and purple variegated stems. These deliciously robust flavored kale microgreens are ready for harvest in 8 to 12 days.
Dwarf Siberian Kale Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's Dwarf Siberian kale microgreen seeds are cold-hardy and can be grown indoors during the winter. The sweet and nutty microgreen features pale green tops and white stems.
Kale Microgreen Seeds– Mountain Valley Seed Company's kale microgreen seeds are non-GMO and fast growing. These delicious seeds feature dark green leaves with reddish or bluish highlights.
White Russian Kale Microgreens Seeds– Mountain Valley Seed Company's White Russian kale microgreen seeds are ready in a mere 8 days. This cold tolerant flavorful kale microgreen is non-GMO and features green leaves on white stems.
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Microgreen Seeds– Sustainable Seed Company's Vates Blue Scotch Curled kale microgreen seeds are organic and have a mild spinach flavor. This easy to grow kale microgreen is the perfect addition to your microgreen salads.
Black Tuscan AKA Lacinato or Dinosaur Organic Kale Microgreen Seeds – Sustainable Seed Company's Black Tuscan AKA Lacinato or Dinosaur kale microgreens feature a robust flavor that adds dimension and flavor to your favorite pasta and soup. This kale microgreen is ready in 8 to 12 days.
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Microgreen Seeds – Mountain Valley Seed Company's Vates Blue Scotch Curled kale microgreen seeds are heirloom kale microgreens. The mild spinach flavor is perfect for a microgreen salad. Vates Blue Scotch is a robust kale variety that is ready in 8 to 12 days.
Black Tuscan AKA Lacinato or Dinosaur Kale Microgreen Seeds– Mountain Valley Seed Company's Black Tuscan AKA Lacinato or Dinosaur kale microgreen seeds are filled with flavor and nutrients. The non-GMO, heirloom seeds are ready for harvest within 12 days.
Our step by step instructions on how to grow kale microgreens will ensure full germination and a large harvest.
The first step towards a successful harvest is preparing your kale microgreen growing trays. Begin by filling the tray with drainage holes to the top with your coconut coir or soilless seed starting medium. Use a piece of cardboard to gently press the soil down, ensuring it is evenly distributed across the entire surface of the soil.
Use your misting bottle to thoroughly soak your growing medium. Spray the soil, wait 10 minutes and spray again, repeating four or five times. If you prefer, you can place the tray in a sink with an inch or two of water in the bottom and allow it to soak for 30 minutes.
Once the soil is properly soaked, place your seed starting tray with drainage holes inside one of the growing trays without holes. This setup will allow you to water the soil from the bottom during the entire growth process. After your setup is complete, you will be ready to plant your kale microgreen seeds.
For each 10 inch by 20 inch microgreen seed starting tray, you will need approximately one ounce of seeds. Using a spice jar bottle with shaker lids like the ones sold here allows you to evenly disperse the seeds across the growing tray. When spreading out your kale microgreen seeds, make sure they are not on top of one another and extend all the way to the corners of your growing trays.
Once you have sewn your microgreen seeds, sprinkle a small amount of growing medium over the top of your seeds. Then, spray using your misting bottle. It will only take four or five full sprays across the entire surface to moisten the seeds and soil.
Place your microgreen tray on top of a heating mat. The ideal soil temperature for germination is around 70 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and ambient room temperature is between 65 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Seeds are typically planted in the earth where pressure and darkness force the seedlings to rise up through the soil toward the sunlight and moisture. We will mimic this by placing the final growing tray without drainage holes atop the seeds. Inverting the tray and pressing it against the soil will prevent light from reaching the seeds.
Grab a heavy book, a weight, or a heavy stone and place it on top of the inverted growing tray without drainage holes. Don't worry, the weight won't harm the seeds. In fact, it will strengthen the seedlings and ensure the roots grow downward.
Place your growing tray in a cool, dark place without drafts. On average, it will take your kale microgreens about 3 days to germinate. During the germination period, the kale microgreen seeds should not require any additional watering; however, you should check the moisture level daily.
Remember soil that is too moist is as bad as soil that is too dry. If the soil has dried out, use your misting bottle and spray across the entire tray. It should only take three to four full sprays to dampen the soil.
Once you have checked the soil moisture level and remoistened if needed, place the inverted tray back atop the seeds and weigh down using your weight, book, or heavy stone.
After 90 percent of your kale microgreen seeds have germinated, it is time to remove the humidity and blackout cover. Check the soil moisture level and water from the bottom from now on to reduce the risk of root rot, mold, mildew, and other soilborne diseases.
Your kale microgreens need consistent full spectrum light for a bountiful harvest. Attach your full spectrum grow lights to your planting rack, ensuring the lights are approximately 12 inches from the tops of your kale microgreens. You will want to keep your grow lights on for at 12 to 18 hours each day.
Circulation fans are used to minimize the risk of mold and other soilborne diseases. Attach your circulation fans to one side of your planting rack and turn on. To prevent the soil from drying out, make sure your circulation fans blow horizontally across only the tops of your kale microgreens.
Remember to water your kale microgreens daily using the bottom watering method. You want the foliage to remain dry; however, you want the roots to stay moist. Good airflow along with low humidity levels will reduce the risk of mold.
Your kale microgreens are ready to harvest in 8 to 12 days. On average, you will be able to harvest between 4 and 10 ounces of kale microgreens per growing tray. The microgreens are ready to be harvest when they are three to three and one half inches tall.
When your microgreens reach this height, you will want to avoid watering for 12 hours before harvesting. This will ensure your microgreens are dry and ready for harvest.
You will need a sharp knife or a sharp pair of scissors for harvesting your kale microgreens. Using a dull pair of scissors or a dull knife can bruise your microgreens and shorten their life expectancy. Additionally, make sure that your scissors or knife is clean and dry to avoid contamination.
Gently grasp your microgreens in your non-dominant hand and slice through the stems of the microgreens. For best results, cut about one quarter of an inch above soil level.
As you cut your microgreens, place them in a single layer on a clean, dry paper towel. The paper towel will absorb any excess dampness to increase the storage time of your kale microgreens.
Work quickly when harvesting your kale microgreens. Cut only one tray and then place them in the appropriate storage container to maximize their life expectancy.
Kale microgreens should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight storage container or storage bag. For best results, place the microgreens in the crisper and adjust the humidity level to low. When your kale microgreens are properly stored, they will last about one week.
If you plan to ship your microgreens, you will need to place the microgreens in clamshell storage containers and keep them cold throughout the shipping process. This can be done using an insulated box or pouch and a gel refrigerant pack like this one here.
Kale microgreens are delicious and nutritious. The brassica flavor is reminiscent of mustard greens, spinach, and broccoli and pairs wonderfully with other microgreens. Use them in a microgreen salad, or add them to your favorite sandwich, soup, or pasta.
Kale microgreens are one of the easiest microgreens to grow. They are the perfect choice for beginner microgreen gardeners. Follow our easy step by step directions to ensure a bountiful harvest.
