Growing Kale in August for Nutritious Autumn and Winter Harvests
Kale is one of the most reliable, nutritious, and cold-hardy greens you can grow—and August is the ideal time to get it established for months of leafy harvests. Whether you’re planting out young seedlings or direct-sowing now, kale will reward you with vibrant greens for soups, salads, and hearty winter meals. Here’s how to give your kale the best start this August.
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Why Grow Kale in August?
- Quick Establishment: Warm soil and regular rain mean fast root growth and rapid leaf development.
- Long Harvest Window: Sown or transplanted now, kale crops from autumn through winter—even into next spring.
- Cold-Hardy: Many varieties withstand winter frost, making kale a staple when little else is growing.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and iron—perfect for cold-season health.
Best Kale Varieties for Late Planting
- Curly Kale: Classic green leaves, ultra-hardy (‘Winterbor’, ‘Reflex’).
- Cavolo Nero (Black/Italian Kale): Deep green, crinkly leaves, rich flavor (‘Nero di Toscana’).
- Red Russian Kale: Frilly, purple stems and leaves; sweetens after frost.
- Dwarf Kales: Compact, perfect for containers or small beds (‘Dwarf Green Curled’).
How to Plant Kale in August
If Planting Out Seedlings:
- Prepare the Bed: Remove weeds, firm the soil, and enrich with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer.
- Spacing: Set plants 40–45cm apart.
- Plant Deeply: Lower leaves should sit just above the soil surface for sturdy, upright plants.
- Water In thoroughly after planting.
- Mulch: Add a layer of compost or straw for moisture retention and weed suppression.
If Direct Sowing:
- Make drills 1cm deep and 20–25cm apart for rows.
- Sow seeds thinly, cover lightly, water well.
- Thin seedlings to the strongest 40cm apart once true leaves form.
Ongoing Care
- Keep Soil Moist: Newly transplanted or sown plants need regular watering until established.
- Protect from Pests: Use netting against cabbage whites, pigeons, or flea beetles.
- Feed Lightly: A fortnightly liquid feed keeps leaves tender and productive.
- Weed and Mulch: Avoid competition from weeds with spot hoeing or additional mulch.
- Harvest:
- Start picking baby leaves as soon as they reach 15cm tall.
- Harvest oldest, outer leaves first to promote continuous growth.
Pro Tips
- Kale sweetens after the first autumn frost—perfect for late autumn and winter salads and stews.
- Mix different varieties for colour and continuous picking.
- Container gardeners can plant compact kales for balcony greens all winter.