How to grow kale in a raised bed

Kale is about as hardy and nutritious as veg gets, and it actually sweetens after a touch of cold. One planting can feed you right through the cooler months.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 40–50 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks, then pick for months

When should I plant kale?

Kale loves the cool — plant from late summer through autumn and winter for the best, sweetest leaves. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): March to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): February to May and August to October
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): January to April and August to October
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): April to July
• Arid inland: March to August

How do I grow kale in a raised bed?

Plant into rich mix and pick the lower leaves as it grows. Like all brassicas, it's a magnet for cabbage-white caterpillars, so insect netting over the bed saves a lot of grief.

How often should I water and feed kale?

Keep moisture steady and feed for lush, dark leaves. Water the soil in the morning.

What pests attack kale?

Keep an eye out for caterpillars, aphids, whiteflies and stink bugs. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect kale?

The main ones are downy mildew and leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with kale?

Aromatic herbs and beans are good companions; keep kale away from strawberries. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest kale?

Pick the lower, outer leaves and let the plant grow on from the top — it'll keep producing for months. Young leaves are best raw, older ones cooked.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Alabama Extension (ACES | Bruce Dupree), photographed 2016-10-02, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.