Kale

Brassica oleracea sabellica

biennial0.9×0.5 mzone 3–9light shade🍎 Edible

Profile

Family: Brassicaceae
Habit: biennial
Height: 0.9 m
Spread: 0.5 m
Growth: medium
Lifespan: 2 years
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 3–9
Shade tolerance: light shade
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture: semi-dry – moist
pH: 5.3 – 8.6

nectar sourcepollen source

Flowering & harvest

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Flowering
Leaf harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible8 of 10

Medicinal3 of 10

Other uses2 of 10

Growing

Kale prefers a sunny site with well-drained, humus-rich soil. The plant needs regular watering to stay evenly moist; avoid waterlogging. Sow in spring; the plants can be harvested in autumn and winter. Kale is frost-hardy and tolerates temperatures down to about USDA zone 6. To encourage bushy growth, regularly remove yellow or dead leaves.

⚠️ Hazards

Toxicity: slightly toxic

This is no substitute for expert identification. When in doubt, do not eat it.

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