Sukuma Wiki (Kale) Farming Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Sukuma siku hybrid kales

Sukuma wiki—commonly known as kale—is one of Kenya’s most important leafy vegetables. Belonging to the cabbage family, this hardy crop is widely appreciated for its nutritional value, adaptability, and role in improving food security and livelihoods.

🧬 Popular Varieties of Sukuma Wiki

1. Sukuma Siku Hybrid

   • Curled leaves with a soft texture and a pleasant cooking flavor.

   • Tolerant to Diamondback Moth (DBM).

   • Long harvesting period of 6–9 months.

2. Marrow Stem

   • Dark green leaves and thrives in cool climates with moderate, well-distributed rainfall.

3. Thousand-Headed

   • Produces many small heads and requires frequent pruning.

   • Slower growing, but has an extended harvesting period.

4. Collards Southern Georgia (Sukuma Wild)

   • Drought-tolerant and heat-resistant.

   • Large, tender, bluish-green leaves.

   • Tolerant to soft rot and black rot diseases.

5. Collard Mfalme F1

   • Hybrid with short internodes and high leaf density.

   • Offers high yield per unit area and strong disease resistance.

   • Tender leaves with excellent flavor.

Thousand headed kales

🌱 Introduction

Sukuma wiki is more than just a vegetable—it’s a livelihood for millions of Kenyan households.

• Rich in beta-carotene, vitamins K and C, lutein, zeaxanthin, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber.

• Commonly consumed alone or mixed with other vegetables, meat, or legumes.

• Grown by over 90% of smallholder farmers in Kenya, providing employment to women and youth.

• Plays a vital role in local economies, supporting industries like transportation, trade, and retail.

Soil & Climate Requirements:

• Prefers well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter (pH 6.0–7.5).

• Requires consistent moisture but tolerates short drought periods.

• Thrives in cool to warm climates.

• As the plant matures, lower leaves are harvested, and the plant takes on a “mini palm tree” appearance.

🚜 Land Preparation

1. Deep cultivation encourages strong root development.

2. Remove weeds and crop residues to improve soil fertility and reduce pest habitats.

3. Early preparation exposes soil-borne pests to sunlight and predators.

4. Work in compost or well-rotted manure to boost organic matter content.

Collard kales

🌾 Nursery Establishment

Kale can be raised in open nurseries, seed trays, or plastic structures.

Steps for Open-Field Nursery:

1. Site Selection:

   • Choose land where other cabbage-family crops haven’t been grown for at least 2 years to reduce disease risk.

2. Bed Preparation:

   • Beds should be 1 meter wide and of convenient length.

   • In heavy or wet soils, use raised beds to avoid waterlogging.

3. Manure & Fertilizer:

   • Mix well-rotted manure and DAP fertilizer during bed preparation.

   • Top-dress with CAN after 2 weeks (if soil is poor).

4. Sowing:

   • Create shallow drills 10–15 cm apart, 2 cm deep.

   • Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil.

   • Mulch lightly with dry grass and remove after germination.

5. Shading & Watering:

   • Provide light shade in hot areas.

   • Avoid excessive watering, which promotes powdery mildew and damping-off.

6. Thinning:

   • Thin seedlings to 2–3 cm apart to promote strong growth.

7. Transplanting:

   • Transplant after 4 weeks, when seedlings have 4–5 true leaves.

🐛 Common Pests and Diseases

Diseases:

• Black rot (Leaf spot)

• Alternaria leaf spot (Black/Gray spot)

• Anthracnose

• Damping-off (Wirestem)

• Downy mildew

• Root-knot nematodes

Insect Pests:

• Cabbage looper

• Beet armyworm

• Cutworms

• Flea beetles

• Thrips (Western flower thrips, Onion thrips)

• Cabbage aphids

• Large cabbage white (Cabbage worm)

• Diamondback moth

🧩 Tip: Regular scouting, crop rotation, and use of biological control (like neem extract) can significantly reduce pest pressure.

🥬 Harvesting

Kale is a hardy, year-round crop that produces abundantly under proper management.

• Harvest can begin 4–6 weeks after transplanting, once plants produce mature leaves.

• For a milder flavor, pick younger leaves; for a richer taste, allow leaves to mature.

• Harvest the outer leaves first, allowing new growth from the center.

• Avoid yellow or wilted leaves—they have reduced flavor and appeal.

• Continuous harvesting encourages prolonged productivity, lasting up to 9 months in some varieties.

🌾 Final Thoughts

Sukuma wiki is more than a staple—it’s a cash crop, nutrition booster, and job creator. With proper management—from nursery establishment to pest control—farmers can enjoy year-round production and steady income.

Investing in improved varieties, maintaining soil fertility, and applying integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can further enhance yields and sustainability.

📌 Quick Facts

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala

• Optimal Soil pH: 6.0–7.5

• Harvest Period: 6–9 months (depending on variety)

• Nutrient Highlights: Vitamin K, C, Beta-carotene, Iron, Calcium

• Main Economic Role: Supports over 90% of smallholder farmers in Kenya