The harvest of a vegetable with cult status is under way in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein: kale. According to the Landbouwschap, Schleswig-Holstein the cultivation area of kale in the state is around 30 hectares this year. The weather conditions have been regular, which means the plants are looking good.
Compared to other types of cabbage the cultivation of kale is relatively simple. Kale can be successfully grown on less rich soil. The vegetable can be harvested into March in principle, as kale can bear temperature of down to -15°C depending on the variety. Frost alternated by mild periods does create the danger of rot.
20,000 tonnes of kale is grown on an area of around 1,100 hectares in Germany. Of this, 530 hectares is in Nordrhein-Westfalen and around 459 hectares is in Niedersachsen. Kale is healthy due to its above average levels of provitamin A, vitamins C and B2, the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, but also due to its dietary fibre and various secondary plant compounds.