How To Plant Kale

Learning how to plant kale is one of the best decisions a beginner gardener can make. This hardy green is nutritious, resilient, and can provide harvests for months with just a little bit of care.

Whether you have a big garden bed or just a few containers on a balcony, you can grow kale successfully. This guide will walk you through every step, from choosing seeds to harvesting your leaves.

This main process covers the core steps from soil preparation to putting your plants in the ground. Getting this foundation right sets your kale up for a strong, healthy life.

When to Plant Kale

Kale is a cool-season crop. It thrives in spring and fall weather. For a summer harvest, plant seeds directly in the garden 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost. For an even sweeter fall harvest, plant seeds about 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost.

In many regions, you can grow kale right through the winter. A light frost actually makes the leaves taste sweeter.

Choosing the Right Location

Kale needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, but it appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter climates. Choose a spot with well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, you’ll want to amend it.

Full Sun to Partial Shade: Ideal for most growing seasons.
Good Drainage: Kale roots don’t like to sit in soggy soil.
Space to Grow: Ensure the area hasn’t recently grown other cabbage family plants (like broccoli or cauliflower) to help prevent pest and disease buildup.

Preparing Your Soil

Kale grows best in rich, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). A little prep work makes a huge difference.

Test Your Soil: A simple home test kit can tell you your pH and nutrient levels.
Add Compost: Work 2-4 inches of well-rotted compost or aged manure into the top 8 inches of soil. This improves texture and fertility.
Consider Fertilizer: If your soil is poor, mix in a balanced organic fertilizer according to package directions before planting.

Planting Kale Seeds Directly

Direct sowing is straightforward and works well in most climates. Here’s how to do it.

Rake the prepared soil smooth, removing any large clumps or stones.
Plant seeds about ½ inch deep. Space them 3-4 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart.
Cover the seeds lightly with soil and pat down gently.
Water the area thoroughly using a gentle spray to avoid washing the seeds away.
Seedlings should emerge in 7-14 days. Once they have 3-4 true leaves, thin them to their final spacing.

Transplanting Kale Seedlings

Starting seeds indoors or buying young plants gives you a head start. Transplant on a cloudy day or in the evening to reduce stress.

Harden off home-started seedlings by placing them outdoors in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day, increasing time over a week.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the seedling’s root ball.
Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Gently fill in around it.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil.

Final Spacing for Healthy Plants

Proper spacing is crucial for air circulation, which prevents disease. For full-sized kale varieties like ‘Winterbor’ or ‘Lacinato’ (Dinosaur kale):

Space plants 12-18 inches apart in all directions.
For rows, keep plants 12 inches apart with rows 18-24 inches apart.

Dwarf or baby kale varieties can be spaced as close as 8 inches apart. Always check your seed packet for specific recommendations.

Watering Your Kale Correctly

Consistent moisture is key for tender leaves. Kale needs about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, from rainfall or watering.

Water deeply at the base of the plants, avoiding the leaves. This encourages deep roots and prevents fungal issues.
Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation for best results.
Mulch around plants with straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture and keep soil cool.

Common Watering Mistakes

Overhead watering can lead to leaf diseases. Letting the soil dry out completely can cause leaves to become tough and bitter. A consistent schedule is better than occasional heavy soakings.

Feeding and Fertilizing

For a continuous harvest, kale needs nutrients. Feed your plants every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer or side-dress with compost.

A sign of nitrogen deficiency is yellowing lower leaves. A quick feed with a fish emulsion or compost tea can green them up quickly.

Managing Pests and Problems

Kale is tough but can attract some pests. The main culprits are cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles.

Cabbage Worms: Handpick green caterpillars. Use floating row covers to prevent moths from laying eggs. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an effective organic spray.
Aphids: Blast them off with a strong jet of water from your hose. Insecticidal soap also works well.
Flea Beetles: Row covers are the best prevention. Diatomaceous earth can help control small infestations.

Good spacing and crop rotation are your best defenses against diseases like clubroot and black rot.

Harvesting Kale Leaves

You can start harvesting when leaves are about the size of your hand. Never harvest the central growing point (the terminal bud) at the top of the stalk if you want the plant to keep producing.

Use a clean, sharp knife or scissors.
Cut the oldest, outer leaves first, leaving at least 4-5 inner leaves to continue growing.
Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture.

Plants often survive winter and produce a very early spring harvest before bolting (sending up a flower stalk) when weather warms.

Growing Kale in Containers

No garden? No problem. Kale grows very well in pots.

Choose a container at least 12 inches deep and wide with good drainage holes.
Use a high-quality potting mix, not garden soil.
Water container kale more frequently, as pots dry out faster.
A dwarf variety like ‘Dwarf Blue Curled’ is perfect for containers.

Recommended Kale Varieties to Try

Lacinato/Dinosaur Kale: Heirloom with long, blue-green, textured leaves. Excellent for cooking.
Curly Scotch Kale: The classic frilly green kale, very cold-hardy.
Red Russian Kale: Tender, flat leaves with purple veins. Great for salads when young.
Winterbor: A vigorous curly kale that stands up to extreme cold.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you grow kale from seed?

Plant seeds ½ inch deep in well-prepared soil after danger of a hard frost has passed. Keep the soil moist until germination. Thin seedlings to the proper spacing once they are a few inches tall.

What is the best month to plant kale?

For a spring crop, plant as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. For a fall crop, plant in mid-to-late summer. Timing depends on your local frost dates.

Does kale come back every year?

Kale is technically a biennial, meaning it lives for two years. However, most gardeners grow it as an annual. It can often survive winter and produce new leaves in early spring before flowering.

How do you prepare soil for kale?

Mix in several inches of compost or aged manure to improve drainage and fertility. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding a balanced organic fertilizer at planting time gives seedlings a good start.

Can kale be grown in pots?

Absolutely. Use a large pot (at least 5 gallons) with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. Water regularly, as containers dry out fast, and place them in a spot with plenty of sun.

Why are my kale seedlings leggy?

Leggy seedlings usually mean not enough light. If started indoors, place them under a grow light just a few inches above the plants for 14-16 hours a day. Ensure outdoor seedlings aren’t to crowded, which also causes stretching.

How long does it take kale to grow?

You can start harvesting young leaves in about 30 days. For full maturity of the plant, most varieties take 55-75 days from seed. Remember, you can harvest continuously long before the plant is fully mature.

With these steps, you’re well on your way to a bountiful kale harvest. The key is to start with good soil, provide consistent water, and harvest leaves regularly to encourage new growth. Before you know it, you’ll have more of this healthy green than you know what to do with.