The increased population has reduced the land available for farming, calling for more subsistence farming. The surplus is sold to the neighbours or the local market.
Kale or collard Farming has become the best option for those with large land sizes and little capital.
However, most people wonder about the difference between kale and collard greens and which is best for commercial and subsistence consumption.
1000 headed Kales
Kales tend to have broad leaves with large internodes between the leaves stems. They tend to have low fibre compared to collards.
It tends to mature faster than collards (about 45 -50 days from transplanting) and can reach a mature height of up to one meter.
There is only one thousand-headed kale distributed in Kenya, which differs in seeds’ quality and viability.
Kales have a low harvesting period and are therefore farmed for home consumption, even though a small group farms them for commercial purposes.
- How to manage your seedlings
- Best Five Performing Kales and Collards in Kenya,2021
- The simple secrets of kale (Sukuma Wiki) Farming
Southern Georgia collards
On the other hand, Collard has narrow leaves compared to kales, with small internodes and leaves that seem to come from the head of the plant.
They mature late, 50-60 days from transplanting, depending on management. They have more fibre and a long harvesting period, so they are farmed for commercial purposes.
Like kale, collard seeds are the same but vary in viability, depending on the distributor. Both are in the same class of brassicas, are affected by diseases, and are managed similarly.
