When people ask me how to grow kale, I usually tell them this: if you can grow weeds, you can grow kale. It’s the toughest, most forgiving crop in our garden—and hands down the easiest vegetable we grow.
Over the years, I’ve watched our kale push through blazing triple-digit heat and shrug off bitter winter lows. I’ve harvested it in January—no frost blanket, no hoop house, just kale doing what kale does best: showing up. It doesn’t bolt at the first sign of stress, it keeps producing for months, and it asks so little in return—especially when it comes to care and garden space.
Whether you’re just starting your first vegetable garden or looking for a crop that could help you ride out the end of the world, kale is the one to grow. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from planting times to harvesting—and share a few tips that have made kale my go-to garden staple.
Dwarf Siberian kale growing wild in our compost pile.
Why Grow Kale?
We’ve already touched on a few good reasons to grow kale: it’s easy to grow, yields incredibly well, and shrugs off cold like it was born for winter. But there are a few other reasons this humble leafy green earns a permanent spot in our garden—and maybe should in yours, too.
First, it’s loaded with nutrients. Just one cup of raw kale contains over 200% of your daily vitamin A needs, nearly 700% of your vitamin K, and more vitamin C than an orange. Add in calcium, fiber, iron, and antioxidants, and you’ve got one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can grow—especially valuable in tough times, when every calorie counts and fresh produce may be harder to come by. In a garden geared toward self-reliance, kale pulls more than its weight.
And then there’s this:
A 2018 USDA study found that nearly 70% of all produce sold in the U.S. contained pesticide residues—even after washing. But kale? It topped the charts. Of 707 kale samples tested, 94% had at least one pesticide residue, and 10% contained residues from 10 or more different pesticides, with some showing traces of up to 17. Growing your own kale isn’t just a way to eat well—it’s a way to take control of what goes into your food.
In short: kale is easy, hardy, highly nutritious, and—when homegrown—clean. What more could you ask for?
Lacinato Kale, an Italian heirloom, produces the most elegant, dark green leaves with fine wrinkles.
When to Plant Kale
Okay, so hopefully I’ve convinced you that growing kale is a worthwhile endeavor. Now let’s talk timing—because while kale is famously flexible, a little planning will help you get the most out of it.
Spring Planting
Kale is one of the first vegetables you can plant in spring. As soon as the soil is workable and daytime temps are regularly above 45°F, you’re good to go. That often means March or April in many areas—about 2 to 4 weeks before your last expected frost.
If you want a head start, you can sow seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your final frost date, then transplant them once the seedlings have 3–4 true leaves and temps have stabilized a bit. Give them space, at least 18-24 inches in all directions, these guys are going to get big.
Bonus: Kale doesn’t mind a little frost—in fact, cool spring weather keeps the leaves tender and sweet.
Fall Planting
If you’ve arrived at this article well into the growing season, don't worry—you're not too late. Kale can be planted throughout most of the summer and early fall. In fact, the cooler nights and shorter days of fall actually improve kale’s flavor, reducing bitterness and bringing out a subtle sweetness. Plus, you’ll deal with fewer pests.
Count back 8–10 weeks from your first expected fall frost and sow directly in the garden or in cell trays to transplant later. In many zones, that means planting in late July through early September, but like I said—don't panic if you don't get the timing exactly right.
In Zones 7 and up, fall kale can often survive through winter—and taste even better in January than it did in October.
Winter Growing (Yes, Really)
For those in mild climates (Zones 7–10), kale can grow all winter long with little or no protection. In colder zones, a low tunnel or cold frame can extend your season well into winter.
And sometimes? Kale doesn’t need protection at all. I’ve harvested kale in the snow—no row cover, no greenhouse, just a little frost-kissed magic from a plant that doesn’t know when to quit.
Portuguese Kale, also known as Tronchuda, is the most tender of the kales. We snack on it all summer long.
How Long Does Kale Take to Grow?
So, how long does kale take to grow? The short answer: not long at all. You can start harvesting baby leaves in about 3 to 4 weeks, and full-sized leaves in 6 to 8 weeks, depending on your growing conditions and variety.
Kale is a plant that just keeps going—especially if you harvest it the right way. Instead of pulling the whole plant, pick the outer leaves and let the center keep producing. This “cut-and-come-again” style means a single kale plant can feed you for months.
Here’s a rough timeline:
- Days to germination: 5–10 days (faster in warm soil)
- Baby leaf harvest: 20–30 days
- Full-size harvest: 50–70 days
- Continual harvest window: up to 4–6 months or more, especially in fall and winter
Tip: Kale grows faster in hot weather but can turn a bit bitter. Cooler temps slow it down and sweeten the flavor. For tender summer greens, try adding Portuguese Kale—just note it's less cold-hardy, so pair it with a few frost-tolerant types like curly or Russian kale.
And don’t worry if your kale seems slow at first. Once it settles in, it takes off—and if the weather turns cold, it just leans in and gets better.
Scarlet Kale produces unique reddish-purple leaves that turn green when you cook them.
Common Kale Pests (and Why You Shouldn't Worry)
Kale may be rugged, but it’s not invincible. A few garden pests find those tender leaves irresistible—but the good news is, most of them are easy to deal with once you know what to look for.
Aphids on Kale Plants
If you spot tiny green, black, or gray bugs clustered on the undersides of your kale leaves, congratulations—you’ve met the aphids.
They’re more annoying than dangerous, and here’s how to deal with them:
- Blast them off with water from a hose or spray bottle.
- Spray with insecticidal soap (We like the Safer brand soap).
- Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings if you’re the let-nature-do-its-thing type.
Aphids tend to show up in warm, dry weather—so check plants regularly during summer and harvest often to keep new growth coming.
Cabbage Loopers & Worms
These little green caterpillars chew big, ragged holes in leaves and leave behind “frass” (a polite word for poop).
They usually hang out on the undersides of leaves. You can hand-pick them, or treat with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)—an organic caterpillar-specific control that’s safe for everything else in the garden. If you have to treat, which is seldom necessary for kale, the powder form (Dipel) sticks best to kale's waxy leaves.
Note: In my experience, cabbage worms are much less interested in kale than they are in broccoli or cauliflower. The exception is Lacinato kale (a.k.a. Dinosaur kale)—they love it. I’ve had the best luck using row covers for Lacinato to keep the moths from laying eggs in the first place.
Flea Beetles
These guys leave behind lots of tiny “shot holes” in kale leaves. The damage looks worse than it is—most plants outgrow it. If it gets too ugly, you can spray with insecticidal soap. Hit them a few days in a row and you should have them under control.
Bonus Pest: Deer
They love kale, particularly in late fall when there's not much else green around. If you’re gardening in deer country, consider fencing—or grow extra and treat them as unpaid helpers doing leaf pruning.
Even with a few pests around, kale rarely gives up. It keeps growing, keeps producing, and (unlike cauliflower) doesn’t seem to sulk when things don’t go perfectly.
Red Russian Kale is the most cold-hardy of all kales. Its baby greens are also our favorite for salads.
Growing Kale in Winter
One of the best things about kale? It doesn’t mind a little winter.
In fact, some gardeners swear that winter kale plants are the best-tasting of the whole year. A touch of frost actually improves the flavor—cool temps trigger the plant to produce sugars, which helps protect the leaves and gives them a subtle, almost nutty sweetness.
Here’s how to keep kale going through winter:
1. Choose the right variety.
Not all kale is equally frost-hardy. Curly types like Vates Blue Curled and Russian kales tend to handle the cold best. Portuguese kale and Lacinato/Dinosaur kale are more sensitive, especially in zones with hard freezes.
If you're aiming for year-round harvests, grow a mix—some for hardiness, some for flavor and tenderness.
2. Use protection (if needed).
In Zones 7 and up, you can often grow kale in winter with no protection at all. In colder zones (5–6), a simple row cover, cold frame, or low tunnel can keep your kale going even when the snow flies.
Don't overthink it—a few hoops and a sheet of frost cloth go a long way.
3. Plant early.
If you want mature plants to carry you through winter, aim to plant kale by late summer or early fall, so it's well-established before the first hard frost. Young seedlings don’t handle freezing as well as full-sized plants.
Even if your kale takes a hit in deep winter, don’t pull it! Many plants will bounce back in early spring and keep producing new leaves before anything else in your garden even wakes up.
Dinosaur kale is beautiful, and delicious, but it can be a bit more sensitive to frost compared with other kales.
Bonus: 3 Ways to Use Kale (Even the Kids Will Love It)
If you think kale is only good for juicing or turning into bitter chips—think again. These three simple, cozy recipes have turned even the pickiest eaters in our family into kale believers. They’re especially great for fall, when the leaves sweeten up and the harvest gets hearty.
1. Mashed Potatoes with Kale
This one’s a staple in our house—and it’s extra convenient because kale is hitting its peak just as the potato harvest comes in.
To make it:
- Boil chopped kale and peeled potatoes together in the same pot until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain off the excess water, then mash it all together with cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
That’s it. Cozy, belly-warming, and shockingly kid-approved.
You’ll never go back to plain mashed potatoes again.
2. Sautéed Kale with Onions and Mushrooms
This makes a great side dish—or a light meal if you toss in some beans.
To make it:
- Sauté sliced onions and mushrooms in butter or olive oil.
- Add chopped kale (remove the midveins if they’re tough) and a few tablespoons of broth or water to help it steam.
- Once the kale wilts and turns bright green, turn off the heat and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a splash of soy sauce.
Optional: Stir in some white beans for extra protein and texture.
3. Sausage and Kale Soup
This one’s always a hit—and it gets even better the next day. You can make it with Kielbasa or ground Italian sausage, depending on what you have on hand.
Here’s what goes into it:
- 1 lb Kielbasa (or sausage of choice)
- 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bunch chopped kale
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas
- 1 (32 oz) carton chicken stock
- Salt & pepper to taste
To make it:
Sauté the sausage, onions, and garlic in olive oil. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until the potatoes are soft and the flavors come together. Don’t skimp on the leftovers—it reheats beautifully.
Dazzling Blue kale is a relatively new variety offers unmatched beauty.
One Crop You Can Count On
Gardening has its surprises. Some years, the radishes go spicy. The beans get chewed to bits. The spinach bolts before you’ve had a chance to harvest. But kale? Kale is like that good friend who always shows up.
It’s easy to grow, a good yielder, and surprisingly tough. I’ve pulled leaves from snow-dusted plants in January and watched it rebound from summer heat without missing a beat. And while it asks for very little, it gives back a lot—nutrients, flavor, reliability.
If you’re looking for one crop you can count on, through good seasons and bad, kale might just be it.
Ready to grow some yourself? Check out our full collection of Heirloom Kale Seeds to find that variety that's perfect for your garden.
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