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 S S              
      T T T T          
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Kale in Australia - 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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 - 100 cm 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
12 Feb 12, Mary (Australia - arid climate)
I just bought some Kale seeds from The Lost Seed - just Google them. Mary.
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12 Nov 11, richard novak (Australia - temperate climate)
my parents bought some edible kale -red russian,tastes great and good for you.they live down in mossvale,i'll find out the nursery they bought it from.
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04 Mar 11, Georgia (Australia - arid climate)
I also live on the Northern Beaches - I bought kale seeds online from Diggers.com.au just recently actually. There were $3 I think with $6 postage
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10 Mar 10, aukje van Vark (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
(Dutch) Kale or boerekool, needs a night of below zero before eating. Normally this happens on the fields, but you can also achieve this by freezing it after harvest. It gets the bitterness out, and makes it a touch sweeter. We always eat it mashed with potatoes, and then add fried bacon and sausages.
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28 Nov 14, Betty McGrath (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Aujke, How long in the freezer?
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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I grew some Tuscan Black Kale in a wine barrel last winter and it was in part-shade with lots of morning sun. Didn't seem to hurt it and we had a good crop. Mario I haven't see kale in the supermarkets (in Canberra) as yet but others may have.
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22 Aug 11, Sid Pearson (Australia - temperate climate)
Woolworth Mawson has some
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08 Dec 09, Mario Mariani (Australia - temperate climate)
Does Kale grow wild as an introduced plant throughout the Temperate zone? Is it sold in markets and supermarkets in Australia?
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26 Jul 10, Mel (Australia - temperate climate)
Mario, i just saw established kale seedlings at bunnings for under $3. I am sure that being the big corporate being they are, they will have kale in most of their stores :) I am wondering whether it is a good thing to plant now though? (Late july)
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13 Aug 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings (NSW) has Cavelo Nero / Tuscan Cabbage seedlings for sale
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Showing 81 - 90 of 110 comments
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