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              
          T T          

(Best months for growing Kale in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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
  • 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

15 Sep 22, (Australia - temperate climate)
Does it need half sun Full sun or complete shade
21 Sep 22, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Full sun
19 Sep 22, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Most veggies need a lot of sun - some 4hrs some 6 hrs some 8 hrs. It is the planting time that you need to get right. Like if Kale needs cool weather to grow then you don't grow it in summer.
14 Feb 22, Ethan (Australia - temperate climate)
amazing details and much better than the other website I was on
15 Dec 19, Sandy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am new at growing veggies. What are other veggies compatible to plant with?
17 Dec 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
If you know which vegetable you want to grow, find its information via the Vegetables and Herbs tab. Make sure the top scroll bar is set to your climate zone and read the information below. Most plants have Compatible or Avoid lists.
18 Jan 18, Orville Roache (Australia - tropical climate)
supermarkets in Jamaica are asking for this a lot. Does anyonee have aJamaican Experience ?
07 Jul 17, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
Grow as much Tuscan kale as you can and make kale chips. I tear the kale into roughly 2 inch squares, put it into a bowl with olive oil and gently coat them. Then separate them, put them in your dehydrator (I only use an excalibur) and dry them till they are crispy. Lay them flat, salt them with pink himalayan and put them in a bowl on the table..I guarantee they will all be gone in 5 minutes..delicious!
21 Jun 17, Coral (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Just wondering how long a kale plant will live for?
21 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is a biennial plant - could live for a few years - a good outcome is 3 years. It is a cool weather crop and can handle some frost. Tastes a bit bitter in the summer - drier and warmer. My rule is once a plant has produced a good crop and the quantity and quality has fallen away time to plough out. Put something else in that will produce a good supply.
Showing 1 - 10 of 109 comments

Grow as much Tuscan kale as you can and make kale chips. I tear the kale into roughly 2 inch squares, put it into a bowl with olive oil and gently coat them. Then separate them, put them in your dehydrator (I only use an excalibur) and dry them till they are crispy. Lay them flat, salt them with pink himalayan and put them in a bowl on the table..I guarantee they will all be gone in 5 minutes..delicious!

- Mary

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