Kale

Hardy and nutritious. Flavour improves after the first frost — a winter staple.

Sprouting this month

First sprouts in 7–10 days

Sow

Mar – Jun

Plant Out

May – Jun

Harvest

Jan – Dec

Type

Both

Difficulty

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Apr

Start seeds indoors this week

•Fill tray with compost
•Sow seeds evenly
•Cover lightly with soil
•Water gently
•Place in warm light spot

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1cm

Spacing

45–60cm

Germination

7–10days

Thinning

Thin to one strong seedling per module before planting out

Grower's Note

Sow in modules indoors Mar–Apr, or direct outdoors from May. Net against pigeons.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

4wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

12wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~17 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

OnionNasturtiumMarigoldRosemaryThyme

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 3–4 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

! Cabbage white caterpillars — check leaves regularly
! Pigeons will strip plants — use netting
! Avoid planting where brassicas grew last year

Organic Gardening

Feed & protect without buying

Feed

Comfrey & Nettle Blend

Combine comfrey and nettle in equal parts, steep for 3 weeks. Dilute 1:15 and use monthly through the growing season.

Pest

Neem Oil Spray

Mix 5ml neem oil with a drop of washing-up liquid in 500ml water. Spray on undersides of leaves to deter caterpillars.

More recipes on the Sustainability pageExplore →

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing kale

Organic Seeds — Just Seed

Certified organic, open-pollinated

Organic Liquid Seaweed

Shropshire Seaweed — soil & plant feed

Fine Mesh Netting

2m × 5m insect barrier

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Just Seed Shropshire Seaweed

Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

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Kale

Growing Calendar

Sowing Guide

Growing Stages

Companion Plants

Climate Control

Watch Out For

Organic Gardening

What You'll Need

Related Crops

Tomato

Lettuce

Peas

Beetroot

Seasonal Updates