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.

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:

1. Prepare the Bed: Remove weeds, firm the soil, and enrich with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer.
2. Spacing: Set plants 40–45cm apart.
3. Plant Deeply: Lower leaves should sit just above the soil surface for sturdy, upright plants.
4. Water In thoroughly after planting.
5. Mulch: Add a layer of compost or straw for moisture retention and weed suppression.

If Direct Sowing:

1. Make drills 1cm deep and 20–25cm apart for rows.
2. Sow seeds thinly, cover lightly, water well.
3. 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.