Kale is a delicious, nutritious vegetable that you can easily grow in your backyard. It’s not too difficult to plant kale, but first, you have to know when to plant kale and where the best place is for it. After you do that, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh kale for years!
When To Plant Kale?
Kale is a winter hardy crop, so it can be planted at any time of year. However, if you’re looking to harvest within three months or less from transplanting your kale plants into the garden, it’s best to start them indoors in late spring. You can also plant kale in early summer and late summer; however, these options will require more frequent watering as they are more susceptible to drought conditions than their early spring counterparts.
If you’d prefer to grow your kale during the colder months of winter and early spring (and don’t mind waiting six months or longer until harvest), you’ll want to start your seeds indoors in late fall rather than directly into the soil as soon as temperatures are steady enough outside (i.e., no frost).
Where Is The Best Place To Plant Kale?
The best place to plant kale is in a spot that gets full sun and cool temperatures. Most varieties will grow well in partial shade, but you’ll get the best-tasting leaves from plants that are grown in full sunlight.
Kale can be grown either directly in the soil or grown in containers, so it’s a good choice for both small-space gardeners and those with larger plots of land. If you’re planting your kale directly into the ground, choose an area with well-drained soil that receives plenty of sun—ideally 6 or more hours per day—and make sure there’s plenty of room between rows (about 30 inches). The wider spacing will help prevent disease problems such as Downy Mildew which affect many types of leafy greens like cabbage family plants.
Heavy clay soil will work fine if raised beds have been constructed with drainage holes near the bottom edges; however, keep in mind that this type of soil may require extra watering when weather patterns become hot during summer months due to low drainage levels.
What Is The Best Month To Plant Kale?
The best month to plant kale is in March. This is because kale needs a long growing season, so you want to make sure that it has plenty of time to mature before the frost comes.
Kale can be planted all year round if you live in a mild climate, but planting it in March gives it the most time to grow before winter sets in.
If you live in a colder region where winters are harsh, you should wait until late August or early September when the weather begins to cool off before planting kale.
How Long Does Kale Take To Grow?
Kale is a cool-season crop, meaning it grows best when the temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it possible to plant kale in the spring or fall. Kale can be planted directly in the garden, or started indoors and transplanted into the ground once temperatures are acceptable for growth.
It takes about 55 to 75 days for kale to mature from seed to harvest (depending on your location).
Conclusion
Kale can be planted in the spring, summer, or fall. If you’re planning to plant kale seeds in the fall, make sure to plant them 6-8 weeks before the first frost.
