Growing kale and curly cabbage in the vegetable garden

Where and in what soil to plant kale?

While kale and curly kale are slightly less demanding than most cabbages, they still require well-manured soil, previously enriched with an addition of compost or well-rotted manure (3 kg per m²). They thrive in deep, moist soil and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Cool, rainy climates suit them perfectly.

They pair well with many vegetables, such as lettuce. However, avoid associating them with other brassicas, courgettes, fennel, lamb’s lettuce, leeks, and strawberries.

How to sow and plant kale?

Kale and curly cabbage are generally sown from March to June and planted from April to July.

Each variety of cabbage corresponds to an ideal sowing and planting period, which can vary in length: this information is found on the seed packet, and it is important to refer to it.

Direct sowing in place is possible, but preparing or purchasing young plants for transplanting is the most commonly used method. Once well-developed, the young plants are installed in the vegetable garden in their final position. They are planted in warmed and well-prepared soil: weeded, loosened with a spade or a bio-fork, then the soil is raked using a rake to achieve fine soil.

During transplanting into the ground, the young plants are buried up to the first true leaves: new roots will form along the buried stem, which will ensure better anchorage in the soil.

The planting distances to be respected are:

– 40 to 60 cm between the ranks and 20 to 30 cm between each young plant for kale (to be adjusted according to the variety),
– 70 cm between the ranks and 70 cm between each young plant in the rank for curly cabbage.

Maintenance and watering of kale

The maintenance of these cabbages involves carrying out hoeing, cultivating, and regular watering. Their growth is slow, and these tasks recur regularly over a long period. They can be spaced out or significantly reduced if you mulch the soil with thin successive layers of previously dried grass clippings, for example.

Diseases and Pests

Kale and curly cabbages are renowned for their good resistance to pests and diseases: they are resistant to clubroot and are rarely attacked by cabbage white butterflies. Nevertheless, it is important to remain vigilant and adhere to the principle of crop rotation by not growing them in the same spot for at least 5 years.

The harvest of kale

The harvest is carried out with a knife, depending on the needs, by taking the leaves from the outer edge of the plant that will continue to grow and produce new leaves. These cabbages can be consumed from the young leaf stage up to ripeness.

To go further

Discover everything you need to know about cabbage in our comprehensive guide!