18 to 24 inches apart.
Space kale 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8.
Can kale be grown close together?
To grow kale to maturity, you need to give it a lot of room, usually between 18 and 24 inches on all sides. But you can get away with planting kale close together if your goal is to grow baby kale leaves or to produce microgreens.
How spaced out should kale be?
Space plants 45cm (18in) apart. Apply a mulch around the plants to help hold moisture in the soil. Water well during dry weather.
What should not be planted near kale?
Avoid planting kale with other brassicas (like broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and Swiss chard), as they can fall prey to the same pests and diseases.
What month do you plant kale?
You can continue to sow seeds until the end of May. If you are starting seedlings indoors, sow four to six weeks before the predicted last frost date. For example, where I live in Zone 7a, the predicted last frost date is April 18. Therefore, I start seeds indoors in trays the first week of March.
What is best to plant with kale?
Among the veggie plants compatible with kale are:
- Celery.
- Cucumber.
- Lettuce.
- Onion.
- Peas.
- Potatoes.
- Radishes.
- Spinach.
Does kale like sun or shade?
One of the most nutritious shade loving vegetables around, kale thrives in just a few hours of sunlight per day. Kale is also extremely cold tolerant, making it a great crop for fall harvests.
How often do kale need to be watered?
Kale needs plentiful, consistent moisture – one to two inches of water per week is usually about right. Make sure you have a thick layer of mulch around your plants to help with moisture retention. If the kale leaves get too dried out, they are likely to wilt.
Does kale regrow after cutting?
Is kale cut and come again? When kale is harvested properly, it works as a cut and come again vegetable that quickly grows back to regenerate its leaves for multiple harvests. For your kale to grow back, harvest the oldest leaves first—those on the outside of the plant at the bottom.
Can kale grow next to tomatoes?
Go ahead and plant tomatoes and kale together. Just make sure you feed them with supplementary fertilizer, because they both want a lot of nitrogen.
Can you grow kale in the shade?
Arugula, lettuce, chard, kale and most other leafy greens are top candidates for partial shade at any time of day, and a longer list often thrives in sites that get full morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
Can you plant lettuce next to kale?
Some varieties of lettuce can actually aid the growth of kale, but many brassicas, including kale, secrete a chemical from their roots which will suppress the germination of lettuce.
How do I grow kale bigger?
Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil produce the fastest-growing and most tender leaves, though kale will tolerate partial shade as well.
Should you let kale flower?
Those tiny flower buds that appear on your kale plants at the end of the season don’t necessarily mean the end of your crop. In fact, just the opposite: the florets are a bonus harvest you can eat, and they turn even sweeter if you’ve had frost.
How long does it take for kale to grow?
Starting Kale Seeds
Direct seeds will mature in 55 to 75 days, while transplants will speed up the process, ready for harvest in about 30 to 40 days. Plant your crop again in the fall, six to eight weeks before the first expected frost — you can keep harvesting even after snowfall.
Can I plant kale in February?
Best Months for Planting
In Mediterranean-like climates, kale seedlings should be set out in February, March or April for spring crops, and in August or September for fall and winter harvesting. Seeds are typically started indoors and transplanted into the garden after about 4 to 6 weeks of growing.
Can I plant kale in January?
Cool season cole crops, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and other cooking greens, as well as lettuce, grow quickly and can be started indoors mid-January to be ready to transplant into the garden in about eight to ten weeks, just in time for early spring weather.
How deep should kale be planted?
Plant seeds ¼-½ inch deep. Thin seedlings or transplant kale 12-18 inches apart in the row with rows 2 feet apart. Plant out 4-5 weeks before the last frost. Kale tastes best when plants grow rapidly and mature before the heat of summer or after fall frosts occur.
Is kale a heavy feeder?
Heavy feeders: beets, collard, kale, lettuce, parsley, spinach and tomato. Light feeders: carrot, garlic, onion, chard, mustard and pepper.
What kind of soil does kale like?
Kale and collards do best in loamy, well-drained soil with high organic matter. You can achieve acceptable kale on heavier, well-drained soil. As long as you make sure the plants are well watered, you can do the same on sandier soils.
How much sun do kale plants need?
Kale growing tips
Kale can tolerate shade. Plant your kale in an area that gets at least 4 hours of sun per day (4-6 hours of sun is best). Its shade tolerance makes it perfect for partly-shady vegetable gardens! If you’re growing kale during the winter, choose a site with 5-6+ hours of sun.