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

17 Sep 16, Daria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why do you think that is?
30 Oct 15, Patrick Ishiguchi (Australia - tropical climate)
How do you keep kale from stop dying?? Do you just add more fertilizer onto the garden.
06 Oct 15, diane thomson (Australia - tropical climate)
I started buying kale from supermarket curly type so that i could juice it. Not a drop of juice dry and bitter. I am raw vegan also tried to eat it but it was vile. Tried and persevered but no success. I then decided to grow it. Bought toscano seedlings and planted them. About 9 inches big, so tried a leaf and it is dry and bitter. What is the problem here? Can you advise. I live in Townsville Qld. Thanks Diane Thomson
25 Mar 16, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
the smaller leaves are much better, up to 2 inches long. The larger ones will be bitter on their own.
17 Nov 15, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Freeze it. Crush the frozen leaves and make a salad of walnuts, cranberries, chopped cheese and kale. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice.
27 Oct 15, Vicki (Australia - temperate climate)
Kale can be a little hard to take! I blend it with a full apple and peeled orange, and drink it down! Not juice, but blend! Yummo!
24 Oct 15, Macca (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Cook it
23 Oct 15, eric (Australia - tropical climate)
that is the life of Kale I find it pleasant when it is steamed with other vegies. Kale is kale and I have not had a sweet one yet, I have mixed Kale with tomatoes (tommy toes black russians and yellow cherry tomatoes) leb cues and coconut water and salt and honey i thought that morning after the 25 klm ride breakfast was pretty good, but remember not to much Kale very strong flavor.
19 Jun 15, bailey james wright (Australia - temperate climate)
KALE IS THE BESTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! FROM BAILEY 19 june 2015
16 Apr 15, Dorothy Marks (Australia - temperate climate)
When growing Black Russian Kale hammer in a stout tall stake and tie it on with panty hose. If you don't they fall over.
Showing 21 - 30 of 110 comments

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.

- Bruce

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