Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Kale — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. sabellica |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 7.2–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 50–70 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature height (cm) | 30.5–91.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seed 1/4 in deep and thin to 12–18 in; kale tolerates crowding better than most brassicas but produces larger leaves with proper spacing. Side-dress with compost or a nitrogen fertilizer midseason to support continued leaf production. Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the growing center intact to keep the plant producing. Flavor becomes noticeably sweeter after the first hard frost, and plants often survive winter in zones 7 and warmer.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0