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Kale in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)

 

Kale

Kale is a leaf cabbage that doesn't form a head. The leaves are green or purple, and the plants can vary a lot in size, depending on the variety. The flavour of kale is enhanced after frost. Curly Kale is similar but has very frilled krinkly leaves.

Contributed by @sandraescapes

 
plant Features
  • Kale likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Kale likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

  • Kale is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Kale likes free draining and fertile

    Free draining and fertile

 
plant information

Common name

Kale

Latin name

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)

type

Annual

family

Brassicaceae

ph

5.5 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Kale likes full sun to partial shade

    Full sun to partial shade

  • Frost

    Kale is full frost hardy: 5f (-15°c)

    Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

  • Soil

    Kale likes free draining and fertile

    Free draining and fertile

  • Water

    Kale likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant
  •  
    When to harvest

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Kale is 0.50meters x 0.50meters 0.50 M 0.50 M

Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group)

Kale is a leaf cabbage that doesn't form a head. The leaves are green or purple, and the plants can vary a lot in size, depending on the variety. The flavour of kale is enhanced after frost. Curly Kale is similar but has very frilled krinkly leaves.


Propagating by seed

From Late Winter TO Late Spring

Sow seeds in trays in the greenhouse in late Winter. Sow the seeds about 1" apart, and thin out the weaker plants as they grow. Or, for a later crop, sow direct in the soil in mid Spring.

 

Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Summer

Seedlings started off in the greenhouse should be hardened off gradually before being planted outside. Plant 12" - 18" apart (depending on the size of the variety being grown) and allow at least 2' between rows. Firm the plants in well, and give them a really good puddle of water. Seedlings that were sown direct in the soil should be thinned out to 12" apart (or replanted)

 
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