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Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Vegetable

Kale is a cold-hardy brassica that sweetens after frost and can overwinter in mild climates. It is one of the most nutritionally dense vegetables and remarkably easy to grow organically.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam; pH 6.0–7.5

Spacing

18–24 inches

Days to Maturity

55–75 days from transplant

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 3–10

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Start Indoors

    6–8 weeks before last frost

  • Transplant

    2–4 weeks before last frost

  • Direct Sow

    3 months before first autumn frost

  • Harvest

    55–75 days; harvest outer leaves and plant continues producing

Organic Growing Tips

  • Use floating row covers from transplant to exclude cabbage white butterflies.

  • Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control caterpillars without harming beneficial insects.

  • Plant garlic nearby to repel aphids; interplant with nasturtiums as a trap crop for caterpillars.

  • Rotate kale and all brassicas to a new bed each year to prevent clubroot and soil-borne diseases.

Common Pests

  • Cabbage White Caterpillar
  • Aphids
  • Cabbage Looper
  • Harlequin Bug
  • Flea Beetle

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.