Vegetable · Leafy
Kale
Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)
A hardy, cold-tolerant leafy green prized for its nutrient density and easy, continuous harvest. Tolerates light frost and even sweetens after a cold snap.
At a glance
Water
Medium
24–40 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
6–8 hrs/day
Space
Small
15 in
To maturity
55–75 days
Edible parts: Leaves
Family: Brassica
Includes kale, cabbage, broccoli, and mustard greens. Generally cold-hardy and fast-growing.
Harvest
Harvest outer leaves first, working inward; the plant keeps producing new growth from the center for weeks.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 40–75 °F
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Soil type
- Loamy, well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Climate
- Cool-season, frost-hardy down to about 20°F; flavor sweetens after a light frost.
- Growing season
- Spring for an early crop, or a fall planting timed to mature after cool weather arrives.
- Nitrogen
- Medium (≈50–100 ppm)
- Humidity
- Medium (≈40–70 %)
- Planting unit
- Seedling
- Feeding schedule
- Vegetative: Balanced All-Purpose (10-10-10) every 21 days
- Pest resistance
- Moderate
- Pests
- Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves, sucking sap and excreting sticky honeydew., Cabbage worms: Pale green caterpillars that chew ragged holes in leaves, favoring brassicas like kale and cabbage.
- Pruning
- None beyond harvesting outer leaves.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— 8-10in+ pot depth.
- HydroponicIdeal— Does well in NFT and DWC systems.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal
- Raised BedIdeal
- WindowsillPossible— Needs 6+ hours of light; grow light recommended indoors.
- Vertical / TrellisNot recommended— No climbing or vining habit.
Companions & antagonists
No known companion pairings yet.
Sources
- Companion Vegetable Garden Plants — Ask Extension