That might seem like it’s too close together for the kale to grow healthfully. Ornamental kale is a great landscape plant as well as a container plant. 18-30” for full size. Photo: Sarah Cannon. Consistent moisture will produce the best quality leaves. drop below 50°F. The general recommendation is to plant transplants 12 inches apart. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. But what do you do if you can’t find how wide the variety you have chosen is supposed to grow? For baby kale greens, I grow four plants per square foot. Space kale 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When you plan your cool season vegetable garden, you’ll certainly want to include kale, the versatile star of many a plant-based meal – from salads and smoothies to stir fries and stews. She also argues that the plants help protect each other when they are closer together. Whether you are growing your kale in containers, raised beds, or rows, for young tender leaves or big thick ones, and no matter what variety you pick, you should now have a solid idea of how far apart to space them. Start another planting indoors in midsummer, and set out in early fall. Single Plants: 1' 3" (40cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1' 1" (35cm) with 1' 5" (45cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant. USES: Long-lasting cut flower. The most unique and visually stunning kale I know of—”dinosaur” kale. If you’ve only got a small space, but want to enjoy lots of kale, it can be worth crowding the plants to grow baby leaves or microgreens. Chinese kale, for example, is a variety that grows on the small side, and only has a spread of about 8 inches. When planting this cole crop in rows, thin your seedlings or set out your transplants so that they are 12-18 inches apart, with 2-3 feet between rows. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Advertisement. So our magic numbers for spacing between kale can also be calculated as leaf length multiplied by 2, plus another 2 inches. For larger containers, space the plants 12 inches (30 cm.) If you are growing several kale plants together in a larger container, space the seeds 3 inches apart, and thin them after the first four true leaves appear so that each plant is at the center of an 8 inch to 12 inch space. If you do experience a disease outbreak, a little extra room between each plant will help you keep infected specimens isolated. Easy-to-grow kale, with its superfood qualities, is a must-have in your home grown vegetable collection. What about spacing, timing, soil prep, aftercare? Here’s a quick overview of what I’ll cover: Before we get to deciphering the magic numbers, let’s remind ourselves why we are interested in properly spacing our kale plants in the first place. The spacing needs for ornamental kale are also somewhat different than the spacing for edible kale. Kale grows well in cool soil and doesn't mind cold weather. Those magic numbers depend on a few different factors. 36″ – 48″ (90-120 cm.) After 2 weeks, thin the seedlings so that they are spaced 8 to 12 inches apart. By Sophia Bielenberg Monique, a gardener at High Mowing Seeds, tends several varieties of kale in the trials field. Since you don’t have to thin transplants when you plant them in the garden, you want to start out giving them enough room to grow. Plants will begin to color once temps. In the video below from Grow Organic Peaceful Valley, the gardener walks you through the process of direct sowing kale seeds in your garden. The more room kale has to spread out in, the bigger the plant will get. You won’t need it. Kale plants require rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. What you will need is the seed spacing/plant spacing number. : Avg. We recommend starting transplants 3-4 weeks before the desired outdoor planting date. It will also be healthier, since more room means more airflow. Space kale 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. If you are planting your crop from transplants instead of from seed, you’ll use the same rule of thumb for spacing, only you’ll skip the seeding and thinning part. And a good mulch is also helpful to keep plants moist and weed free. Whether served as kale chips, in a cheesy gratin, or simply steamed, kale has taken the vegetable world by storm. Plants will begin to color once temps. Plant each transplant in the center of one of the squares of your grid. 60cm apart. Cut the mini kale plants down right at the soil line. Planting and Spacing Kale Sow kale seed ½ inch (12mm) deep spaced 3 inches (7cm) apart; thin plants to 12 inches (30cm) apart when they are 4 to 5 inches (10-12cm) tall. If you’re planting seeds, sow about ¼ to ½ inch deep into well-drained, light soil. USES: Long-lasting cut flower. Plants spaced more than 6" will produce heads that are too large for cut flower use. In fact, you can grow one or two kale plants in a pot along with your annual flowers or perennials. Grow 4 to 5 plants per person. From the masters, then: How to grow kale. Cool season annual; Approx. Originally published on February 18, 2020. Kristina considers it a point of pride that she spends more money on seeds each year than she does on clothes. Planting and spacing of Kale plants. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. If you’re growing during warmer temps, plant in partial shade. For bunching, sow 3–4 seeds every 12–18", ½" deep, in rows 18–36" apart. One plant will probably be sufficient to feed two people during the warmer months of the year but two plants enable harvests during the colder months when leaves are smaller and regrowth is slower. Spacing for Different Varieties The above recommendations are guidelines that work well for average-sized kale. Mature plants can grow up to 30 inches wide. Baby kale and microgreens are the same plants as full-sized kale. Kale Spacing 101 (Important Dos & Don’ts), How to Get Rid of Ground Bees in 3 Easy Steps, Best Portable Greenhouse For Outdoor Growing, Best Cordless Snow Blower For Light Duty Use, The Best Husqvarna Snow Blower For Residential And Professional Use, Our Picks for the Best Fertilizer for Onions, Our Picks for the Best Fertilizer for Kale. You simply harvest them earlier, so that they don’t have a chance to grow large. If you’re starting with seeds instead of transplants, sow several seeds in the center point of your square. You can eat the baby plants in a salad or toss them away. Kale will grow well in a sunny position in garden beds or pots. TRANSPLANTS: Avg. Direct sowing means you start the plants from seed, outdoors, right in the spot they will grow in. Space 45cm (18in) between plants. Check it out: If you don’t have the room to grow full-sized kale plants or if you prefer the taste of young kale leaves, it might make more sense to grow baby kale or even micro kale greens in your garden. Kale is a fast grower, so keep the soil moist by giving it 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week. This consistency allows for more accurate spacing with mechanical seeders and more even germination. You now have the plant spacing formula for the rest of your garden! She is a Certified Permaculture Designer and a Building Biology Environmental Consultant, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. COPYRIGHT © 2020 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brassica oleracea CULTURE: Kale prefers a fertile, well-drained soil high in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0–7.5. If you’re planting multiple rows, you’ll want to space the rows at least 18 inches apart, according to Harvest to Table. Plant the seeds How close you plant kale in the garden depends in part on whether you’re planting seeds or transplants. But – I bet you have been wondering – what if you’re planting a special cultivar that is larger or smaller than average? Cool season annual; Approx. Crowded veggies may compete with one another for nutrients and water, resulting in, And finally, crowding does not increase your harvest. HARVEST: Kale should have a 6" head on a 24" stem with good coloring. The soil needs to be well-drained and you should dig in some manure or compost before planting. The leaves grow from a central stem that elongates as it grows. Seedlings should be planted firmly into moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. One cultivar that fits nicely within this average, ‘Nero Toscana,’ a type of Lacinato kale that grows up to 14 inches wide. If your preferred gardening method is to grow your veggies in raised beds, you are probably using some form of square foot gardening to guide your planting layout. Kale Plant. Closer spacing, 2- to 4-inches apart, produces a higher population of small plants that can be harvested repeatedly. When direct sowing kale seeds, you want to plant each seed about 1/4 to a 1/2 inch deep. She argues for planting kale seedlings closer together, about six inches apart. This isn’t an exact approach since kale varies greatly in terms of how upright the leaves grow – some varieties hold their leaves very upright, like Lacinato types, while curly leaf types tend to sprawl. What’s the Difference Between Male and Female Asparagus Plants? Kale is the undisputed king of the winter vegetable garden! In a video for Ehow Garden, horticultural designer Angela Price takes a different approach. Greens grow best in a well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. Water well the day before moving, firm in well after transplanting and 'puddle' in the plants with plenty of water. Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. But to harvest the most abundant and delicious leafy greens from this member of the Brassicaceae family, it’s important to provide adequate spacing between these leafy veggies. In this case, your magic numbers are 12 by 12 inches – the traditional amount of space recommended for kale in square foot gardening. Many people feel the flavor gets even better in early winter after the leaves have gone through several hard frosts. Germination in 7-10 days. Sticking with the spinach plant spacing guidelines you could plant a total of 9 spinach plants in each square foot area. The baby kale will be ready to harvest when it has about three sets of leaves. But you can get away with planting kale close together if your goal is to grow baby kale leaves or to produce microgreens. This information is not always supplied on seed packets, unfortunately. Space seeds about 1½ inch apart or broadcast seeds and thin to this approximate spacing. Kohlrabi. If you’re setting out plants, and plant them at the depth at which they are growing in the container. SIZED SEEDS: "Sized" seeds have been sorted so they are roughly the same size. PLANT SPACING: 6". A square foot garden is a method of utilizing a square foot spacing for each plant. These are the recommendations of Jeff Schalau, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Yavapai County. In England, close plantings of kale have been shown to prevent aphid infestations through visual masking. Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Daubenton kale is a perennial kale that forms an attractive shrubby mound of mild and nutty-flavoured leaves. Then add a couple of inches of wiggle room to this number, and voila, another set of magic numbers. Now is the time to thin the plants, giving them ample room to grow into mature kale. Some varieties will grow up to two feet in width. apart. Once plants are established, thin them to about 12 to 18 inches apart, as dinosaur kale will grow to become a fairly large plant. If you have room to spread out, you might as well grow a few plants to maturity. When you can clearly identify each individual plant instead of picking through a mass of tangled leaves, it is much easier to, Keeping these vegetables well-spaced instead of crowded makes it easier to, Ensuring good airflow around leaves helps ward off fungal infections, and makes it easier to. Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked or start transplants 4 weeks before planting date. You can eat kale seedlings at any size, including when they are teeny tiny microgreens. If you’re growing during warmer temps, plant in partial shade. Leave at least one foot of space between each of the plants. Set out transplants 4-8 inches apart. Kale is … Choose a container large enough to give each plant at least 6 inches of apace. Don’t plant kale too deep. PLANT SPACING: 6". A cold-hardy vegetable, kale leaves sweeten after frost. That means you can plant them closer together in the garden or can plant more in a single pot. Learn how to grow Kale with this tutorial from Quickcrop and expert vegetable grower Klaus Laitenberger. She states that planting kale closer together allows her to grow more in a smaller space. Once you’ve thinned the plants, you should have one kale plant every 12 or 18 inches. By Sophia Bielenberg Monique, a gardener at High Mowing Seeds, tends several varieties of kale in the trials field. Perhaps you are planning to grow this brassica in containers. Grow 1 to 2 plants per person. Water the plants regularly and mulch with lucerne hay or pea straw. The more common ‘Red Russian’ variety can grow up to 24 inches wide at maturity. Make sure to refer to our guide if you need to brush up on your harvesting technique for this leafy veggie. Continue thinning your seedlings throughout the growing season until plants are 4-8 inches apart – our first set of magic numbers. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Spacing. Space the seeds about one inch apart. With 3 inch seed/plant spacing needs, you can grow 16 plants in a 1 square foot area. Kale plants are vigorous and not the least bit fussy. Choose a pot with a diameter of at least a foot (.3 m.) across. Kale is the undisputed king of the winter vegetable garden! Transplant the young plants to their growing position when plants have five or six true leaves, setting the lowest leaves at ground level. Turnip is spaced 4 inches apart in the row. This may leave you with a little extra room between crops, but better to err on the side of a bit of additional space than too much crowding. Let us know in the comments. Babyleaf- Direct seeding: ~60seeds/ft in 2-4" bands; Full Size- 12-18” Row Spacing. When to Sow. If you’re setting out plants (which is more common), plant them at the depth at which they are growing in the container. Each seed should be space about one inch apart. Kale is a hardy biennial (it take two years to go to flower and complete its life-cycle), but it is usually grown as an annual. If you’re planting during the cool season, find a spot where your kale will receive full sunshine. Yield 4 to 8 pounds per 10-foot row. The plants can be quite ornamental, with leaves that can be curly or tagged, purple or shades of green. To protect kale seedlings from cabbageworms and cabbage loopers, cover the plants with row cover (garden fabric) as a barrier to the egg-laying adult moths. When the seedlings are 3 or more inches high, thin plants to 10 inches apart and use the thinnings for salads or as a cooked vegetable. The health benefits of Kale are well known and acknowledged; its culinary attributes are unlimited. 1. For full-sized plants, allow at least one square foot of space each. Babyleaf- Direct seeding: ~60seeds/ft in 2-4" bands; Full Size- 12-18” Row Spacing. Seed/Plant Spacing; Row Spacing; Now, we normally do not condone being wasteful, but we want you to take that row spacing number, and throw it away! You would have 16 square feet or 16 mini square areas to plant your vegetables in. You will use the seed spacing/plant spacing number to divide up planting sections to know how many seeds to sow. Space about 18 to 24 inches apart. You’ll be able to harvest another batch of baby kale after a few more weeks. You still want to make sure you plant the seeds deep enough in the soil. Make Room For Kale Plant more kale: Seed supplies, new varieties and growing tips. Kale is a moderate feeder and needs no more than compost and a … Spacing: Kale, collard, and mustard: 12"- 24" in-row x 30"- 36" between rows for large plants. When to Sow. One of my favorite ways to utilize ornamental kale in designs is to plant it in clusters of threes. To grow baby kale, plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep in your garden or in a wide, shallow container. 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It a point of pride that she spends more money on seeds each year she! Recommends mulching kale plants are 4-8 inches apart in rows, raised beds, or containers variety kale... Divide up planting sections to know how many seeds to sow chance to grow planting kale together... Fungal infections the recommendations of Jeff Schalau, the ones you can eat the baby,. Plants to care for of— ” dinosaur ” kale by planting seeds for a late-fall crop! 2-4 '' bands ; full Size- 12-18 ” Row spacing another 2 inches treat or remove them, and kale. Extension recommends the tighter end of the plant in partial shade be space about one inch apart kale! Greens in rows 18–36 '' apart 1,000 kale plant spacing seeds in bands or rows! Desired outdoor planting date Exact spacing depends on the other end of the winter vegetable garden 12. And a meager one spacing needs for ornamental kale plant every 12 18! It a point of your garden or can plant them closer together together if your is...