Growing Kale, also Borecole

Brassica oleracea sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S                    
    T T                

(Best months for growing Kale in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 - 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, camomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

05 Jul 09, kirsty hewitt (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
How and what to grow for winter in a cold climate
18 Jul 09, Joan (Australia - temperate climate)
I purchased Kale - Nero de Toscano from Eden seeds, they were a bit spasmodic in germinating but really I only needed two or three plants to keep me going. I often use it with silverbeet and chard to make a "spinach" and ricotta pie, very yummy. I have since purchased new seeds from The Italian Gardener website so will try them soon.
29 Jul 09, Cath (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in an apartment and plan to grow kale on my balcony - any tips on how to do this effectively? Also, does anyone know where I could buy Kale leaves (dried or fresh) please? Thanks!
11 Aug 09, Geoff (Australia - temperate climate)
www.theitaliangardener.com.au has Cavolo Nero or Tuscan black kale inported from Italy
13 Aug 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings (NSW) has Cavelo Nero / Tuscan Cabbage seedlings for sale
18 Aug 09, Paea Haraki (New Zealand - temperate climate)
can u tell me where can i buy kale from in new zealand or seeds
18 Aug 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Paea, you can buy kale seeds online from www. kingsseeds.co.nz or some garden shops sell their seeds.
08 Dec 09, Mario Mariani (Australia - temperate climate)
Does Kale grow wild as an introduced plant throughout the Temperate zone? Is it sold in markets and supermarkets in Australia?
26 Jul 10, Mel (Australia - temperate climate)
Mario, i just saw established kale seedlings at bunnings for under $3. I am sure that being the big corporate being they are, they will have kale in most of their stores :) I am wondering whether it is a good thing to plant now though? (Late july)
27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I grew some Tuscan Black Kale in a wine barrel last winter and it was in part-shade with lots of morning sun. Didn't seem to hurt it and we had a good crop. Mario I haven't see kale in the supermarkets (in Canberra) as yet but others may have.
Showing 21 - 30 of 174 comments

Aphids over wintering on any curly leaved kale. Last year I grew a lot of leafy greens, the kale Nero was a great success, however the others grew really well but were infested with wooly aphids seeking shelter I assume. I'm not into chemical sprays, and getting the spray in all the curly leaves seems too time consuming, I can wash them off but it's almost pointless with the numbers per leaf. Have others found this? What can I try that's not too much of a hassle as I have a young family and don't really want to go out spraying with garlic spray for example after each time it rains.

- Alice

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