Your comments and tips

18 May 15, Scottie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Ray, Yes I do this with all kale varieties, picking the other leaves along a row, you get months out of it this way. its very hardy for most climates as gradient reflects 8 degrees to 30 degree soil temp. For the white cabbage moth I don't have as much trouble with it on kale as I do other cabbage family crops in Brisbane so I don't spread it. Those that like a simple boiled brew of chillies, garlic and a small amount of natural soap are a good way to keep pests off, there are lots of natural sprays online. Hope this helps Scottie Jason thanks for the plug too mate, glad the seeds are going well.

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12 May 15, Jen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi Ray, Yes I have several plants some about a meter high, and I pick what is needed and they continue producing, I have even picked seeds and they still have leaves to pick for cooking. Very tough plant, but then we are in the cooler region....?>?

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27 Apr 14, Laura (Australia - arid climate)

Hi Ray, Thats how I eat my Cavalo Nero. Last time I grew it was in pots in Auckland New Zealand. I kept same plants going for about 6 months + while picking outer leaves for my smoothies. I also grew dinosaur kale and harvested this way. Just planted some kale in my western QLD garden today from seedlings, will be very interested to see if it grows in the heat.

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24 Mar 14, kian collins (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

what is the ph for the plant

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01 May 14, Travis Edwards (Australia - temperate climate)

most of the brassicas prefer a well limed soil so between 6.5 and 7.5 they normally grow well

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22 Mar 14, 1st Time Gardener - Beginner (USA - Zone 7a climate)

I live in Northern VA, US and we have had a abnormal winter. Were almost through March & still expecting snow next week. With that said, I am trying to start a garden for the 1st time ever. I purchased Gardenate to assist me. It says you can direct sow Kale in March (assuming temp is good). Is there anything that I should take into consideration given the sporadic weather? Should I plant indoors?

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01 May 14, Travis Edwards (Australia - temperate climate)

Autumn or Fall as Americans call it is the time to plant seedlings of kale and they will grow through winter and flourish through spring however some of the plants will bolt (flower) in spring during summer when it starts to dry out you will find mealy bugs and aphids attack them but come autumn they will start to flourish again and the bugs generally go away. Where I am we get fairly cold winters (generally no snow but some fairly heavy frosts,) my kale both the tuscan black (cavalero nero) and russian red are going well at the moment. (we are just going into winter.) for you I would think august is sort of starting autumn and this is when I would be planting Kale. plenty of lime and compost on your beds is the recommendation.

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02 Jan 14, David Scott (Australia - temperate climate)

When is the best time to sow Kale seeds in Sydney thanks in anticipation

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17 Feb 14, Robbie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

David. Start the seeds in seed trays in March. Plant them in the Garden in April/ May. They take a while till they are ready to harvest Spring and Summer. The grubs love them.

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22 Nov 13, Lalita (Australia - temperate climate)

I had planted Kale seedlings in my vegetable garden 2 months ago,they have been growing quite slowly until recently. For last 2 days couple of leaves have been beaten and covered with sticky stuff,similar to my cabbage plant leaves closely. I have used pepper,garlic and soap spray today. any ideas what it could be and how dangerous is it? Thanks in advance

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