All You Need to Know Growing Kale in a Vertical Hydronic Greenhouse
Hydroponic kale at Eden Green Technology.
For quite some time now, kale has been the healthy green of choice. With all of its vitamins and nutrients, it’s no wonder! Growing your own kale is the best way to ensure you have the freshest, cleanest greens possible. And growing it hydroponically means you can enjoy fresh kale throughout any season.
How to Grow Hydroponic Kale
In a hydroponic environment, plants are grown in water with nutrients added to it, rather than being planted in the ground. This method can work well for several types of plants, but a favorite among hydroponic growers are leafy greens. Kale is an excellent choice for hydroponics, as it’s in high demand, versatile in its use, and easy to grow.
Optimal Kale Growing Conditions
One of the most fascinating features of hydroponic growing methods is the ability to control growing conditions. A grower can monitor and control light, temperature, and various other factors to ensure the healthiest, most efficient plant growth possible.
When growing kale, there are a number of conditions that you’ll need to monitor to ensure a good harvest, including when to plant kale. Kale needs about six to ten hours of light per day. Sunlight is always best, but indoor LED grow lights will also work if that’s not an option.
How to Plant Kale Seedlings
Germinate your seeds at a temperature of 60-75° F. Lower temperatures will work too, but they’ll slow the growth process. After germination, you’ll want to keep the environment at a temperature of 45-85° F with a humidity around 55-65%. Since kale grows best at cooler temperatures, lower temperatures will produce a smoother flavor in the leaves. Keep the water temperature between 65 and 70° F, with a pH of around 6.0.
Ensure you’re using a nutrient solution formulated specifically for kale, as it has its own unique nutrient needs. If your solution does not include enough calcium or magnesium sulfate, you may need to supplement with these nutrients.
Health Benefits of Hydroponic Kale
Kale has become such a popular choice for salads, smoothies, and other recipes because of its amazing nutritional value. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. Kale also has more protein, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids than many vegetables.
Because of its unique combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, kale has been called a superfood. It is credited for:
Strengthening bones
Boosting the immune system
Improving eyesight
May help prevent the growth and spread of some cancers
While these benefits are found in all kale plants, in most cases, kale is only available fresh in late fall and early winter. A major benefit of hydroponic kale is that it can be grown and harvested year-round in indoor microclimates, meaning you can enjoy fresh kale in any season.
Kale for Commercial Growers
Because of the acclaim of kale for its health properties, it has become an incredibly popular food. For this reason, kale is an excellent option for commercial growers. Because it can thrive in a wide range of temperatures and is relatively easy to grow, it can be a profitable crop for commercial growers.
If you’re considering a hydroponic greenhouse for growing kale and other commercial crops, we’d love to help. Contact Eden Green Technology today to learn more about our hydroponic solution.
