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When to plant
kale in the UK
Gets sweeter after a frost. One of the hardiest crops — can harvest all winter.

Growing journey
10 weeks from planting out to harvest · Start indoors 5 weeks before planting out
Get kale seeds
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What kale need
Sun or partial shade. Firm, fertile soil. Net against pigeons.
Spacing
45cm between plants
These are larger plants — give them plenty of space for air circulation.
Varieties to try
Good companions
When to sow kale
Based on UK average frost date. Enter your postcode for exact dates, or find your city.
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Where to buy kale seeds
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What you'll need for kale
The stuff beginners wish they'd bought sooner.
Without this, cabbage white caterpillars will strip your plants to skeletons. Cover from planting day — not after you spot damage.
Hold netting above the leaves. Draped directly on plants, butterflies lay eggs through the mesh where it touches.
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Get your exact dates
Enter your postcode for personalised planting dates for kale.