Kale
Brassica oleracea Acephala Group
A vegetable, sown March to June.
In September: pick a few kale leaves at a time.
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Kale, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Pick a few kale leaves at a time. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Sow another batch of kale. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Net the kale. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Mulch the kale. | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Feed the kale. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in March, 1cm deep. Strong source: RHS.
Sow outdoors March to June, 1cm deep, 30 to 60cm apart, rows 45cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out May to June, 30 to 60cm apart, rows 45cm apart. Strong sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Pick a few kale leaves at a time
Gardeners call this cut-and-come-again harvesting.
Usually September to May. Strong source: RHS.
Sow another batch of kale
Gardeners call this successional sowing.
Sow this second batch direct outdoors into a finely raked seedbed, 13mm deep.
Usually March, and May to June. Moderate source: Suttons.
Net the kale
Use fine-mesh netting to keep off insects and pigeons.
Usually May to June. Strong source: RHS.
Mulch the kale
Spread a thick layer of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plants to hold moisture and deter weeds. From RHS.
Usually December. Weaker source: Grow Fruit and Veg.
Feed the kale
Only needed on poor soil or in pots: an organic, nitrogen-rich fertiliser gives a boost. From RHS.
Usually June. Weaker source: Grow Fruit and Veg.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Kale” comes from.