Kale plants don’t typically form heads (the cabbage-like structure that forms in the center of the plant), but since kale is just a type of cabbage, it can happen! The kale head is edible, but I’m not sure how it will taste—it could be bitter or overly tough. Try a piece raw first, and if that’s not very satisfying, try boiling it (here’s a corned beef and cabbage recipe to try). Also, note that kale often tastes a bit better after a frost, so if you’ve got a frost coming soon, wait until afterwards to harvest the plant. Let us know how it turns out!

Plywood may contain/be treated with copper azole. You can learn more about this here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/toxicity-concerns-about-rai... Particle board is not mentioned on that page but we would avoid it. As for the bug spray you need to read the can/container; usually there are advisories on such products. Without knowing what chemicals it contains, we would only be guessing. That said, we would propose that you might be able to transplant the kale and berries. Hard to know how far along they are but if you get a new, safe, clean plot ready and get it done and then provide lots of TLC, you might have a harvest after all. We hope this helps.

Kale is a biennial (2-year) plant, which means that it will produce leaves the first year, and then the next year (or sometimes late the first year), it will form a flower stalk. This stalk eventually forms flowers and then seeds; once the seeds mature, the plant dies shortly after. The act of forming that tall, central flower stalk is called bolting. Sometimes the bolting response in a plant can also be caused by other factors, such as temperature or stress. If your kale plant is bolting, and it is the second year, then the plant will not last much after the seeds form–you may want to pull it up and start over, unless you plan to collect seed (though if the kale is a hybrid, the offspring may not be similar to the parents). Once kale bolts, the leaves take on a stronger flavor, at which point harvesting usually stops. Hope this helps!

If this is edible kale, the yellow flowers are a sign that the plant is bolting. If you have not already, cut the stems that you want and save or cook them. You can cut the flowers for a vase or leave them for appearance, but as an annual, the plant is almost done.

If this is edible kale, it’s a sign that the plant is bolting. If you have not already, harvest any leaves that you want and save or cook them. Pulling the flowers is not likely to halt the bolting process—a sign that it is too warm for the plant to produce leaves. You can cut the flowers for a vase or leave them for appearance, but as an annual, the plant is almost done.

For a second crop this year, set out new plants in the late summer/fall. Kale like cool weather.

You can harvest the leaves as long as the taste is appealing. After the plant bolts (sends up flowers) the leaves may become bitter.

Kale can take a light frost. In fact, kale is best in the fall after exposed to a few light frosts. However, it won’t survive freezes outside so it’s best to pick the leaves. You can always blanch and freeze to store over the winter. Plant new seeds in the spring.

Kale usually takes about 65 to 80 days from seed to harvest, but that depends on variety, conditions, etc. Plants sometimes slow their growth if they are stressed, such as temperatures too hot or cold, not enough water, pests or diseases, or crowded roots (for container-grown). Make sure your plants have enough room in their pots, and that they are getting the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. It sounds like you can start harvesting the outer leaves now for cooking, but allow the inner ones to keep growing (sometimes people harvest a few baby leaves for salad, but be careful not to pick the growing innermost section). Depending on your climate, they can produce for several months, and over winter in Zones 7 to 9. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to provide winter protection to extend the season.