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            
    P                  

(Best months for growing Kale in South Africa - Semi-arid 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

Your comments and tips

12 Jan 14, c (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
planted borecole (boerenkool) with great success in Bloemfontein. Where can I get seeds ? Got it from friend in Holland . Can it be bought in Bloemfontein?
25 Sep 13, Kobus Snyman (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can buy seed from Shalom Agriculture Steyn Du Preez 011 965 165 1642 Benoni Agricuture Holdings E-mail : [email protected]
30 Jul 13, Odete Arede (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to know where can i obtain either the seeds to plant or iif you can get the kale at vegetable shops, and where?
21 Jul 13, venetia (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I'm also in Pmb and would love some Kale please advise me as to where I can purchase some. Thanx.
23 May 13, Claus Carstens (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy borecole kale in SA?
02 May 13, Suhaima (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi I live in KZN, Pietermaritzburg, could anyone tell me where to obtain Kale?
15 Jun 13, Lesley (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Suhaima - I live in the Midlands and found Kale at the Rotunda nursery in Cedara Road (Hilton). Hope this helps?
19 Apr 13, Sam (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Kale is available from Livingseeds which is a mail order organic seed company based in Jo'burg. Google them. I am busy growing my first crop of Tuscan Kale for winter. Yay!
17 May 13, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Beware mouse birds with Kale, I had the lovely Italian black kale seed which grew beautifully under plastic bottles (Freezing here at Notties) Mouse birds stripped the lat withing hours of removing the bottles GRRR! Jenny
28 Mar 13, ExpatDiva (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I too live in Port Elizabeth and am trying to find Kale. If you find any could you please share your find. Thank you
Showing 31 - 40 of 44 comments

I found a company called Cape Kale that produces a dried Kale product. They are organic and it is dried at the correct temperatures. You can find it in most health shops in Cape Town.

- Lexi

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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