PlantSowGrow
How to grow Kale (Emerald Ice)
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Kale Emerald Ice is an exceptionally fine flavoured variety with textured, ruffled leaves that develop a striking contrasting white centre as they mature. Known for its sweet flavour, even the leaf stalks are crisp and taste like candy. This AGM-awarded variety offers excellent winter hardiness, making it a valuable winter to spring vegetable. It's a 'superfood' with high nutritional value, popular for improving diet. Can also be harvested as tender baby leaves for salads. Flavour improves after frost.
At a glance: Sow late March to mid June, harvest from late May.
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 (Emerald Ice): 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 65 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Easy
Step by step
- Late March – mid June · 3 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Outdoors
Sow thinly in drills where they are to grow.
- 5–10 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late March – early April
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 5–10 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 45 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Late March – early April
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 21–35 days after “Net Against Pests” · Mid April – early May
Pinch Out the Growing Tip (Optional) (optional)
Once plants are 45 cm tall, pinch out the top to encourage more side leaves.
- 55–76 days after “Check Germination” · Late May – mid June
Start Harvesting
Pick the lower leaves once they are hand-sized, working upwards; the plant keeps producing into winter.
- 150–180 days after “Start Harvesting” · Late October – mid November
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
