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                    
    T T T              
    P P P              

(Best months for growing Kale in USA - Zone 5a 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

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14 Mar 14, jevon (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I got mine from Seeds For Africa.It was delivered fast and efficiently.
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12 Jan 14, c (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
planted borecole (boerenkool) with great success in Bloemfontein. Where can I get seeds ? Got it from friend in Holland . Can it be bought in Bloemfontein?
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25 Sep 13, Kobus Snyman (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
You can buy seed from Shalom Agriculture Steyn Du Preez 011 965 165 1642 Benoni Agricuture Holdings E-mail : [email protected]
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30 Jul 13, Odete Arede (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I want to know where can i obtain either the seeds to plant or iif you can get the kale at vegetable shops, and where?
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25 Jul 13, Greta Havemann (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy Scotch kale in Melbourne or Victoria? Regards, Greta
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21 Jul 13, venetia (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I'm also in Pmb and would love some Kale please advise me as to where I can purchase some. Thanx.
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11 Jul 13, victoria (Australia - arid climate)
Hi why are kale seeds sprayed with poison - can i get organic ones? should i take off the lower kale branches the hit the ground - will it encourage growth?
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12 Jun 13, Barb (Australia - temperate climate)
Bendigo Health Foods has kale seeds, seedlings and a variety of bunches for sale.
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23 May 13, Claus Carstens (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can I buy borecole kale in SA?
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02 May 13, Suhaima (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi I live in KZN, Pietermaritzburg, could anyone tell me where to obtain Kale?
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Showing 101 - 110 of 175 comments
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Autumn or Fall as Americans call it is the time to plant seedlings of kale and they will grow through winter and flourish through spring however some of the plants will bolt (flower) in spring during summer when it starts to dry out you will find mealy bugs and aphids attack them but come autumn they will start to flourish again and the bugs generally go away. Where I am we get fairly cold winters (generally no snow but some fairly heavy frosts,) my kale both the tuscan black (cavalero nero) and russian red are going well at the moment. (we are just going into winter.) for you I would think august is sort of starting autumn and this is when I would be planting Kale. plenty of lime and compost on your beds is the recommendation.

- Travis Edwards

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