Kale: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow kale outdoors?
Sow kale outdoors in spring or early summer, adjusting the date to your climate and variety. Prepare weed-free, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost, then break up clods at the surface.
Make drills about 1 cm deep. Sow in a seedbed, then thin to 10–15 cm before transplanting sufficiently developed seedlings, or sow directly in their final position. In the latter case, leave one plant every 30–60 cm depending on the variety: check the seed packet. Cover with fine soil and firm gently.
Water to keep the soil moist without waterlogging it during germination. Protect young plants from slugs and watch for caterpillars. Properly installed insect-proof mesh can reduce damage. Mulch around established plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Label the row with the variety and date, especially when sowing several brassicas nearby. Water the bottom of the drill before sowing if the soil is dry, then use a fine spray to avoid moving the seeds. After germination, remove weeds by hand near the young stems. When thinning, retain the strongest plants without lifting the roots of their neighbours. Check the mesh edges after windy weather: an opening can let butterflies in even if the top of the crop remains covered. Leave enough space under the mesh for the plants to develop.
How to care for this plant
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Maintain the mulch
Once the plants are established and the soil has warmed, check the mulch and top up bare patches if needed. Keep the stem bases clear and remove weeds before covering them.
How do you harvest kale?
