Growing Kale on an Allotment

Kale is one of the hardiest and most reliable leafy crops you can grow. It thrives in cooler weather, stands through winter, and provides harvests when many other vegetables are finished. Kale is ideal for beginners and experienced growers alike, performing well in the ground or large containers.

This guide explains how to grow different types of kale, from seed or plug plants, when to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, common pests and diseases, container vs ground growing, and proven ways to improve yields.

🌱 1. Types of Kale You Can Grow

🥬 Curly Kale

• Tough, crinkled leaves

• Very cold-hardy

• Excellent winter crop

🌿 Cavolo Nero (Black Kale / Tuscan Kale)

• Dark, strap-like leaves

• Sweeter flavour after frost

• Popular for cooking

🌱 Red & Russian Kale

• Tender, flatter leaves

• Mild flavour

• Fast-growing and attractive

🌿 Baby Leaf Kale

• Harvested young

• Ideal for salads and quick crops

• Grows well in containers

🌰 2. Ways to Grow Kale

From Seed (Most Common)

Pros

• Cheapest option

• Wide variety choice

• Strong, adaptable plants

Cons

• Needs protection from pests when young

Plug Plants

Young kale plants grown in modules.

Pros

• Faster establishment

• Less seedling loss

• Good for late planting

Cons

• More expensive

• Limited varieties

👉 Both methods work well — spacing, pest protection, and steady watering matter most.

🗓️ 3. When to Sow & Plant Kale

From Seed

• Sow indoors: March–April

• Sow outdoors: April–June

Plug Plants

• Plant out: May–July

Kale grows best in cool to mild conditions and tolerates frost extremely well.

🌾 4. How to Grow Kale in the Ground

Soil Requirements

• Moisture-retentive but free-draining soil

• Plenty of organic matter

• Sunny or lightly shaded site

Kale prefers firm soil — avoid freshly dug, loose beds.

Spacing

• Between plants: 45–60cm

• Between rows: 60cm

Crowding causes:

• smaller leaves

• more disease

• increased pest damage

Planting Method

• Plant seedlings firmly

• Water well after planting

• Add a light mulch once established

Firm planting helps prevent wind rock.

🪴 5. Growing Kale in Containers

Kale grows very well in containers with enough depth.

Container Guidelines

• Minimum depth: 30cm

• Spacing: 1 plant per 20–25cm

• Use rich, moisture-retentive compost

Containers dry faster — water regularly.

💧 6. Watering Kale

Kale needs consistent moisture, especially when young.

Best Practice

• Water during dry spells

• Keep soil evenly moist

• Mulch to reduce evaporation

Drought stress causes:

• tough leaves

• slow growth

• bitter flavour

🌿 7. Feeding Kale

Kale is a moderate to heavy feeder.

Feeding Schedule

• Add compost before planting

• Light liquid feed every 2–3 weeks in summer

• Avoid excessive nitrogen late in the season

Healthy soil = tender, productive plants.

🐛 8. Common Pests & Diseases

Caterpillars (Major Issue)

Symptoms

• Holes in leaves

• Visible caterpillars

Control

• Fine mesh netting

• Hand removal

• Encourage birds

Aphids

• Clusters on soft growth

Control

• Water spray

• Encourage predators

Clubroot

• Swollen roots

• Poor growth

Prevention

• Crop rotation

• Improve drainage

• Lime acidic soils

Slugs

• Damage young plants

Control

• Protect seedlings early

• Improve airflow

🧺 9. Harvesting Kale (For Continuous Crops)

How to Harvest

• Pick lower leaves first

• Leave central growing point intact

• Harvest regularly

This encourages plants to keep producing for months.

Best Time to Harvest

• After frost for sweeter flavour

• Kale improves in taste during colder weather

🌾 10. Improving Kale Yields

• Space plants generously

• Use mesh protection early

• Water consistently

• Harvest regularly

• Feed lightly during growth

Kale rewards steady care, not intensive feeding.

⚡ Quick Kale Growing Tips

• Frost improves flavour

• Firm soil prevents wind damage

• Mesh is the best pest control

• Kale stands through winter without protection

🧠 Key Kale Principles

• Cool weather improves flavour

• Spacing and firmness matter

• Mesh prevents most pest problems

• Harvesting encourages regrowth

Photo by Vital Sinkevich on Unsplash