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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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.
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17 Jan 17, Ashley (Australia - temperate climate)
Kale fry sriLankan style Wash the leaves in salt water and cut them very fine or use the fine cutting blade in the food processor Heat generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan and add chopped garlic Spanish onions finely chopped and fry till transparent and sweet. Then add in the chopped kale at the same time add Tumaric powder cumin and coriander powder bit of cracked pepper and salt mix it all up stur well once the kale goes dark green it's ready to go With the spicy mix play around with I like it hot and add chopped green chillies Goes well with rice chiken Rost or grill stake you will never taste the shared kale taste
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04 Jan 17, JACK SKENDER (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow my kale in sandy soil just north of Perth WA.. My problem is that the leaves develop yellow blotches after a period of 6 months. I thought it might be an element deficiency in the soil and applied trace elements without success. I have used various fertilizers to no avail. Can you suggest what element my soil could be deficient in for the Kale Many thahks Jack Skender
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17 Mar 17, Bruce (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jack, yes always a challenge in sandy soil. You won't look back if you use Paul Gautschi's Back to Eden method. It never fails! Google "Back to Eden Garden" The film is also available on YouTube and Vimeo. Good luck.
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10 May 16, jenni (Australia - temperate climate)
what colour are the flowers. do you have a picture of the flowers?
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26 Feb 16, ian grills (Australia - arid climate)
what kale is best for river land SA home gardens how many varieties are there
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08 Feb 16, Wilma (Australia - arid climate)
I put kale into a Bullet with carrots, nuts, bananas or anything i have handy. Love it! Just got given some kale seeds so will plant them next month.
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22 Dec 15, ABU (Australia - temperate climate)
EVERYTHING ABOUT KALE VARIETIES ETC,
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05 Dec 15, Ivy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I love Tuscan kale (and that's coming from someone who isn't into salads). Apparently, Tuscan kale (and other varieties as well) is more tender and sweeter when grown in cooler climates or seasons. Seeing as you're in Townsville Qld it might be trickier to make them less bitter. I've read that you can make it sweeter by making sure the soil stays moist. Also, pick the outside/lower leaves when they're about six inches long instead of when they're fully grown. We've only ever harvested (either for juicing or eating raw) baby Tuscan kale and have yet to try to grow them to full maturity.
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12 Nov 15, Cameron Reed (Australia - temperate climate)
I love kale chips but not normal kale. Also kale won't grow in my garden!
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Showing 11 - 20 of 110 comments
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Kale fry sriLankan style Wash the leaves in salt water and cut them very fine or use the fine cutting blade in the food processor Heat generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan and add chopped garlic Spanish onions finely chopped and fry till transparent and sweet. Then add in the chopped kale at the same time add Tumaric powder cumin and coriander powder bit of cracked pepper and salt mix it all up stur well once the kale goes dark green it's ready to go With the spicy mix play around with I like it hot and add chopped green chillies Goes well with rice chiken Rost or grill stake you will never taste the shared kale taste

- Ashley

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