PlantSowGrow
How to grow Kale (Cavolo Nero)
Brassica oleracea Acephala Group
Also called Tuscan kale, black kale, lacinato kale, dinosaur kale, kale nero di toscana
Tall, dark, crinkled "black kale" from Tuscany with a rich, sweet flavour. Crops from autumn right through winter.
At a glance: Sow mid April to mid June, harvest from late July.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Kale (Cavolo Nero): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 45 cm
- In pots
- Only in large containers
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 100 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Mid April – mid June · around the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 5–10 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid April – late April
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 5–10 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 45 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Early May – mid May
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Mid May · 5 weeks after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Late May – late June · 6 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 45 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Late May – early June
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 60–81 days after “Plant Out” · Late July – mid August
Start Harvesting
Pick lower leaves as needed; frost makes them sweeter.
- 180–210 days after “Start Harvesting” · Late January – late February
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
