Growing Kale, also Borecole

Brassica oleracea sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
    T T T              
    P P P              

(Best months for growing Kale in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 - 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, camomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Cavolo Nero kale (CC BY 2.0 licenced Dwight Sipler (flickr))
  • A seedling Cavalo Nero
  • Scotch kale

Green leafy plant. Kale is a good addition or substitute for cabbage varieties. Cavalo Nero can be grown in slightly smaller spacing.

Very winter hardy. Flavour is improved by frost. Ornamental varieties are colourful, and edible. Rotate with other crops to avoid clubroot infection.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Kale

Strong flavoured and nutritious vegetable.
Wash well and chop finely then steam.
A tomato or cheese sauce will mask the flavour if too strong.

Your comments and tips

12 Nov 22, Caleb (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When do you harvest kale?
18 Nov 22, Ruth A Hersh (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Anytime it looks good to you, start harvesting the outer leaves, they will keep growing more from the inside. I over harvest mine sometimes, just leaving a few baby leaves coming out of the top, & they still keep coming,
15 Nov 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Read the notes here about when to harvest.
11 Apr 20, Daniel Saitta (USA - Zone 7b climate)
best kale, potato ,tomato ( sandwich or salad ) ,squash -summer and winter ,corn for grain mill and sweet corn.I know there are many types but which is the most common heirloom ordered . Thank you
08 Apr 19, Martha Wilkins (USA - Zone 13a climate)
I live in Gilbert Arizona, on my East side my planter I just built gets sun till 1:00 then the house shades it. Is it ok for black Kale ... With a shade cloth...
07 Aug 15, Stephanie (USA - Zone 7b climate)
How much sun does kale need to fully grow?
01 Sep 15, (USA - Zone 6a climate)
If you are planting now, end of Aug or early Sept. Full sun is great in 7b

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