What to Do with Overgrown Kale? 8 Easy Tips For You
“What to do with overgrown kale?” is a common question for gardeners as it grows abundantly. It’s simple – just start by harvesting the outer leaves and pruning back leggy stems. Overgrown kale can still be used in recipes or frozen for later.
Stick around, and I’ll share some easy tips and tricks to keep your kale productive all season long!
Key Points
- Harvest the large outer leaves first to keep the plant growing.
- Prune tall, leggy stems to promote fresh growth.
- Provide shade and regular water to prevent bolting.
- Use overgrown kale in cooked dishes like soups and stir-fries.
- Freeze excess kale for later use in smoothies and stews.
- Space your plants properly to prevent overcrowding and overgrowth.
- Regular harvesting helps prevent your kale from getting too large.
What to do with overgrown kale? 8 Things
Overgrown kale can still be used in several ways. Harvest the outer leaves, prune the plant, and use it in recipes like smoothies, soups, or stir-fries. You can freeze it for later or make kale chips. Compost tough stems, or mulch the leaves back into the soil.
Harvest the Outer Leaves
When your kale starts to overgrow, you can easily manage it by harvesting the outer leaves. Kale is a hearty plant, and even when it’s a little overgrown, it can still provide plenty of usable leaves for your meals. Let me walk you through how you can do it.
First, pick the older, larger leaves from the outside of the plant. These are usually the leaves that grow the biggest, and you want to remove them first because they can get tough and bitter over time.
By focusing on the outer leaves, you allow the smaller, younger leaves in the center to keep growing and stay tender. I find that this method is great for making sure the kale doesn’t get too unruly, and it keeps the plant healthier.

To harvest the leaves, here’s what you need to do:
- Grab garden shears.
- Find the largest outer leaves of the kale plant.
- Cut each leaf at the base where it meets the stem.
- Continue this process until you’ve removed as many large leaves as you need or want.
- Be sure to leave the smaller inner leaves to keep growing.
It’s really that simple! By removing the bigger leaves, you let the plant stay productive, and you don’t have to worry about wasting any part of it.
Prune the Plant
Pruning your kale is another great way to deal with overgrown plants. When you prune your kale, you’re giving it a chance to grow fresh leaves that will be tastier and more tender. It also helps prevent the plant from getting too leggy, which can make it fall over and stop growing properly.

When I prune kale, I always make sure to look for the leaves and stems that don’t look as healthy. These are usually the ones that are yellowing, damaged, or just too tough to use. Cutting these parts off will help the plant focus on growing new leaves.
Here’s how you can prune your kale properly:
- Use clean scissors or shears to avoid spreading disease to the plant.
- Look for leaves that are discolored, wilting, or damaged.
- Cut the leaves at the base where they meet the stem.
- If the plant is getting leggy (meaning it has long, thin stems), cut the top growth back by about a third to encourage new growth.
Pruning not only helps the kale grow better but also makes sure you have plenty of fresh, delicious leaves throughout the season.
Eat the Leaves
If your kale has overgrown, you might be wondering if it’s still safe to eat. The good news is, yes, you can. The only difference is that it might be a little tougher and more bitter than when it’s younger.
But don’t worry. There are ways to soften it up and make it taste great in all kinds of recipes.
When kale gets too big, the leaves start to get thicker and more fibrous. This is especially common in the winter months. So, whenever someone asks me, What to do with overgrown kale in winter, I say eat it.
Here are some ideas for how to cook overgrown kale:
- Smoothies: Even tough kale leaves can blend up well in a smoothie. Just chop the leaves up a bit before blending them with fruit, juice, or milk for a healthy green drink.
- Soups and Stews: Kale softens up really well when cooked in soups or stews. The longer it cooks, the more tender it gets.
- Stir-Fries: Chop the kale into smaller pieces and sauté it with some olive oil and garlic. The heat will help soften the leaves and take away some of the bitterness.
- Salads: If you want to use overgrown kale in a salad, try massaging the leaves with a bit of olive oil. This helps break down the toughness and makes it more pleasant to eat raw.
When using overgrown kale in any recipe, be sure to remove the thick stems first, as they can be too chewy.
Freeze the Kale
If you have more kale than you can eat, freezing it is a smart option. Freezing helps preserve the nutrients, and it’s perfect for adding to soups, smoothies, or even sautéed dishes later on.
Steps to freeze kale:
- Wash the kale.
- Boil them for three minutes.
- Immediately cool the kale by placing it in ice water for a few minutes.
- Drain and dry the leaves completely.
- Place the kale in freezer-safe bags, squeeze out the air, and label them.
Once frozen, the kale will last several months. It’s super handy to have some stored away for future meals.
Compost the Tough Stems
The stems of overgrown kale can be too tough to eat, but that doesn’t mean you should toss them in the trash. You can add overgrown kale to your compost pile. Composting helps create nutrient-rich soil for your garden, and kale stems break down over time, enriching the compost.
Steps to compost kale stems:
- Chop the tough stems into smaller pieces. This helps them break down faster.
- Add the stems to your compost bin or pile.
- Mix in other compostable items like vegetable scraps or leaves.
- Turn the compost regularly to help with decomposition.
By composting the stems, you’re not only reducing waste, but you’re also helping your garden in the long run.
Mulch or Feed It Back to the Soil
Another great way to use overgrown kale is by turning it into mulch or green fertilizer. The leaves are full of nutrients, and they can improve the quality of soil. It’s a natural, eco-friendly way to keep your garden healthy.

Steps to mulch with kale:
- Chop up the kale leaves and spread them around the base of your garden plants.
- You can also mix the chopped leaves into the soil as green fertilizer.
- Water the area lightly to help the leaves start breaking down.
As the leaves decompose, they release nutrients back into the soil.
Make Kale Chips
If you’re looking for a fun way to use your overgrown kale, why not make kale chips? Kale chips are crispy, tasty, and easy to make at home. Even if the leaves are tough, baking them crisps them up nicely.
Steps to make kale chips:
- Wash and dry the kale leaves.
- Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the leaves with olive oil and a bit of salt.
- Spread everything on a baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are crispy but not burnt.
Kale chips are a great snack, and they’re much healthier than regular chips. Plus, they’re a fun way to use up your overgrown kale!
Make Juice – Try Different Kale recipes
Kale is packed with nutrients, and juicing is a quick way to enjoy those benefits. Even the tougher leaves from overgrown kale can be juiced. It’s an easy way to get a nutrient boost, especially when mixed with other fruits and vegetables.

Steps to make kale juice:
- Wash the kale leaves thoroughly.
- Chop the leaves.
- Add the kale to your juicer along with fruits like apples or oranges for sweetness.
- Juice everything together and pour into a glass.
- Strain the juice.
Kale juice is a great way to use up your overgrown kale while getting a healthy, refreshing drink.
What are the best ways to harvest overgrown kale?
The best way to harvest overgrown kale is by picking the big outer leaves first, letting the smaller ones keep growing. Pruning the plant to remove weak stems and damaged leaves is also important for healthier regrowth. These steps help you get fresh kale continuously.
Harvesting the Outer Leaves First
If your kale is overgrown, don’t worry—it’s still good! You just need to pick the outer leaves first. These leaves are usually the largest and toughest because they’ve been growing the longest. By removing them, you give the plant a chance to send more energy to the younger leaves, which will grow softer and taste better.
How do you harvest the outer leaves?
- First, find the largest leaves on the outside of the plant.
- Grab garden shears.
- Cut each kale leaf at the base of the stem, close to where it meets the plant.
- Be gentle—don’t yank the leaves off, or you might hurt the plant.
- Leave the smaller, inner leaves alone so they can keep growing.
By doing this, you let the plant stay strong and productive. It’s an easy way to manage kale that’s grown too big. Plus, the large leaves are still usable, especially if you cook them!
Pruning Leggy Stems for New Growth
Sometimes, overgrown kale gets what we call “leggy.” This just means the plant has long, thin stems that look weak and stretched out. It happens when the kale grows too fast and doesn’t get enough attention.
The good news? You can fix it by pruning.
Pruning might sound fancy, but it’s really just trimming the plant so it can grow better. When you prune leggy stems, you’re giving the plant a chance to focus on producing new, healthier leaves.
How to prune leggy stems:
- Look for the tall, thin stems that look weak or stretched out.
- Take a pair of clean scissors or garden shears.
- Cut about a third of the length of those stems. Don’t cut too much—just enough to shorten them.
- Remove any yellowed or wilted leaves while you’re at it.
After pruning, the plant will be able to use its energy to grow stronger, fresher leaves instead of trying to keep those long stems going. This also helps prevent the plant from falling over or looking too scraggly.
Removing Damaged or Yellow Leaves
Overgrown kale might also have some leaves that don’t look so great—maybe they’re yellow, wilted, or damaged. These leaves aren’t going to help the plant anymore, so it’s best to remove them. By taking off the bad leaves, you’re helping the plant focus on growing new, healthy ones.
Removing these leaves is simple, and you don’t need special tools. Just your hands or scissors will do the job.
Steps to remove damaged leaves:
- Look for leaves that are yellow, dry, or full of holes.
- If you’re using your hands, gently pull the leaves off where they meet the stem. If you’re using scissors, just snip them off.
- Be careful not to damage the stem.
- Once you’ve removed the damaged leaves, toss them in your compost pile if you have one.
This step helps keep the plant healthy and productive, and it makes your kale plant look much better. You’re also reducing the risk of pests or disease spreading to the other leaves.
How to Harvest Kale So It Keeps Growing
If you want your kale to keep producing leaves for weeks (or even months), you need to know the right way to harvest it. The secret is to focus on cutting the outer leaves. This allows the plant to keep producing more leaves instead of getting stressed and stopping growth.
Here’s what I do: Cut the stems of the outer leaves, close to where they meet the main stem. I make sure to only take the larger leaves and leave the smaller ones in the center.
By doing this, I help the plant stay healthy, and it keeps growing new leaves. It’s like giving the plant a little haircut!
Steps to keep your kale growing:
- Pick the large outer leaves first. These are the ones that have grown the most.
- Use scissors to cut the stems close to the base.
- Leave the smaller inner leaves alone so they can keep growing.
- Water the plant after harvesting to help it recover faster.
- Every few weeks, check for any leggy stems or damaged leaves and prune them.
By harvesting like this, your kale plant will keep producing more leaves, and you’ll have fresh kale for months!
If you’re refreshing your garden after tackling overgrown kale, learn the best way to handle large amounts of mulch efficiently.
How do you stop kale from bolting?
To stop kale from bolting, make sure it stays cool by giving it shade and water. Pick the leaves early and regularly to keep them growing. Bolting is when the kale sends up a flower stalk, usually caused by heat or stress.
Give Your Kale Some Shade
Kale bolts when it gets too hot. This happens because the plant thinks it’s time to make seeds, not leaves. To keep it cool, you need to provide some shade. I always notice that kale grows better when it’s not sitting in full sun all day.
How to give your kale shade:
- Use a lightweight cloth to cover the plant when it gets too sunny.
- Move potted kale into a shady spot if possible.
- Plant kale in a place where it gets morning sun but afternoon shade.
Shade keeps the plant cool and happy, so it doesn’t rush to flower and stop producing leaves.
Water Your Kale Regularly
Water is one of the most important things for keeping kale healthy. If it doesn’t get enough water, the plant becomes stressed. That stress can lead to bolting. I always make sure to water my kale early in the morning when it’s cooler outside. This helps the plant soak up the water before the sun gets too strong.
How to water your kale:
- Water the plant in the morning so the roots stay hydrated all day.
- Check the soil with your finger. If it’s dry an inch deep, it’s time to water.
When kale is well-watered, it stays strong and is less likely to bolt. Stress from drought is one of the main reasons it might try to flower early.
Harvest Leaves Often
Harvesting leaves regularly can keep kale from bolting too. When you pick the big outer leaves, the plant focuses on growing more leaves instead of sending up a flower stalk. I always harvest my kale every few days, even if I don’t need it all at once.
How to harvest leaves:
- Cut the large outer leaves with scissors, close to the base.
- Leave the smaller, younger leaves in the center to keep growing.
- Check your plant every few days and pick any big leaves that are ready.
By doing this, your plant won’t feel like it’s at the end of its life cycle, which delays bolting.
Does kale come back every year?
Kale is a biennial plant, which means it grows for two years. In the first year, it makes leaves. In the second year, it flowers and makes seeds. In some places with mild winters, kale can survive and come back the next year. But in colder areas, kale usually dies after one season.
If you live where winters are mild, you can leave your kale in the ground and see if it regrows. Some gardeners protect it with mulch or a cover to help it survive the cold. In colder places, though, you’ll need to plant new kale each spring.
Conclusion
To make the most of your overgrown kale, remember these key tips:
- Harvest the outer leaves regularly to keep your plant under control.
- Prune leggy stems to encourage healthy, new growth.
- Provide shade and water to prevent bolting.
- Use overgrown leaves in soups, stir-fries, or smoothies.
- Compost or freeze any extra kale for future use.
With these easy steps, you’ll keep your kale plant healthy and productive, ensuring you get the best out of it every season!