Melinda Myers

Kale

Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

Hardiness

Annual

Height

18 to 36 inches

Width

12 to 36 inches

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Kale best germinates at temperatures between 45°F and 85°F
• For a summer crop, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Sow seeds in ¹/₄ to ¹/₂ inch deep
• Put out transplants in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, space 12 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart
• For a fall harvest, direct sow outdoors about 3 months before the first expected fall frost. Plant seeds ¹/₄ to ¹/₂ deep, 1 inch apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart
• Thin plants to 12 to 18 inches apart. Thinned transplants can be eaten in salads or on sandwiches.
• Kale needs cool weather of spring or fall to develop the best foliage color
• Use floating row covers to help protect plants from insects

Problems

Flea beetles, slugs, black rot, black leg, cabbage loopers, cutworms, cabbage aphids

Varieties

• Red Russian - blue-grey, flat, deeply cut leaves
• Redbor - 2-3' tall, deep red-purple
• White Russian
• Prizm - attractive, ruffled foliage, excellent in containers, almost stemless leaves are ready to harvest early and throughout the growing season, All-America Selections winner