Growing Kale

Kale can be grown easily in both containers and the backyard garden. A member of the cabbage family, Kale prefers cool temperatures and will be sweetened by a touch of frost. Optimal soil temperature is 60 - 65 degrees F. PLEASE NOTE: Hot weather turns kale bitter. 

Cover seeds with about ½ inch of soil and don’t allow the seeds to dry out before germinating. This is very important! 

Kale plants like to grow in a rich soil, high in organic matter and slightly acidic (5.5 - 6.5 pH). You’re growing it for the foliage so don’t worry about having too rich a soil mix. 

Kale can be direct seeded in the garden or started indoors and set out as transplants. Here in Ohio I start seeds indoors in April for transplant in May after last frost. Space plants 12” apart. I also sow outside in August, September, and October for a continuous fall harvest.