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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06 Jun 08, Jodie Cowan (Unknown climate)
I have purchased Kale (Red Russian) online from Rangeview Seeds from Redcliffe North QLD. Great seeds, great service.....www.rangeviewseeds.com.au. I live in Newcastle NSW.
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29 May 08, anne-maree etem (Unknown climate)
I would like to grow some lacinato kale,not sure where to find the seeds or seedlings.I live in Maroubra,NSW
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06 May 08, carolyn (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I plant Kale seeds now (and thru June) in a little hot house?
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01 Feb 08, John (Unknown climate)
Jacki, I have bought Kale seeds from http://www.newgipps.com.au/category.asp?id=2
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25 Dec 07, jacki (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Even though I currently reside in Brisbane, I would like to know where I can purchase some kale seeds for planting. The temps here may not be cold enough for kale, but I would like to give it a go because it is such a nutritious vegetable. Thanks Jacki
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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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