Kale Growing Guide0% read

Kale Growing Guide

Growing Kale is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.

EasyVegetableBiennial~60 days to maturityCool Season

At a Glance

Difficulty

Easy

When To Start

First Chance to Plant

45 Days Before Last Frost

Last Chance to Plant

30 Days Before First Frost

When should you plant Kale?

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Your Kale Planting Window

Start planting

May 15, 2026

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Last chance

Sep 10, 2026

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The Journey Ahead

Kale's Lifecycle

Seedling

Mature Plant

Seed Production

Step 1

Prepare Your Space

0.5 cm

Seeding Depth

30 cm

Plant Spacing

45 cm

Row Spacing

Plants / Sq Ft

Vertical Growing

Yes – Tower.

Method: Tower.

Succession Planting

Yes.

Good Companions

Beetsceleryonionsgarlicdillchamomilemarigoldnasturtiummintrosemary

Bad Companions

Strawberry

Step 2

Planting & Sprouting

Expect sprouts in 5–10 days

Growing Tips

1Plant kale in a spot that gets full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
2Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
3Use well-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost, and space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
4To manage pests, consider using row covers or natural predators like ladybugs to keep aphids and other insects at bay.

Seedling Phase

Step 3

Growth & Maturity

~60

Days to Maturity

60 cm

Mature Height

45 cm

Mature Width

Pests to Watch For

Aphidscabbage wormsflea beetlesslugscabbage loopers

Diseases to Watch For

Black rotDowny mildewClubrootAlternaria leaf spotFusarium wilt

Mature Plant

Step 4

Harvesting

Harvest Window

90 days

When to Pick

Harvest leaves continually

How to Harvest

1Harvest kale when the leaves are about the size of your hand and firm, usually 55-75 days after planting.
2Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer leaves about an inch above the stem, leaving the central bud intact to encourage continued growth.
3Avoid pulling leaves to prevent damaging the plant.

Step 5

Saving Seeds

How to Save Seeds

Saving seeds from your kale plant is easy and rewarding! Simply let a few healthy kale plants flower and form seed pods—these will appear after the plant bolts in late spring or early summer. Once the pods turn brown and dry on the plant, gently cut the stalks and place them in a paper bag. Shake or rub the pods to release the seeds, then remove any plant debris. Store your seeds in a cool, dry place in a labeled envelope or jar, and they’ll be ready for planting next season. With just a little patience, you’ll have your own homegrown kale seeds—saving money and building your gardening confidence!

Seed Production