Kale thrives in mild winters, but can also produce sweet, tender leaves long into a cold winter if the plants are protected with row cover or are planted in an unheated greenhouse.

Can you grow kale all year round?

Kale is hardy, easy to grow and comes in many types. If sown as late as August, it will keep you in leaves all through the winter and the spring hungry gap.

Can you grow kale over winter?

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kale, leeks and parsnips are hardy vegetables and will stand through the winter. Leafy crops such as chard, parsley and rocket should also over-winter with a little protection.

What temperature is too cold for kale?

Kale. Kale can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees and is also noted for improved sweetness after frost. A very hardy vegetable, kale not only tolerates the cold, but it has no problems with insects like cabbage can have.

Can you grow kale indoors in the winter?

Whether you simply don’t have the space to garden outside or want to grow your own vegetables throughout a cold winter, gardening indoors allows you to do that. Along with other leafy greens, kale can be an ideal vegetable to grow inside. Although it will require a fair amount of light, it won’t need much space.

When should I plant winter kale?

According to Cornell University’s Growing Guide, you should start kale for growing in the winter about three months before the first frost date in your area. For many gardeners, that means starting the plants in either July or August. Kale might like cold weather, but it’s not a fan of the heat.

When can I plant kale outside?

Set out plants in spring 3 to 5 weeks before the last frost; in late summer, you can begin planting kale 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for fall and winter harvests, and continue planting throughout the fall in zones 8, 9, and 10.

Can I plant kale in December?

It’s easier to grow than most of its cabbage family relatives, being less troubled by the many pests that afflict this clan, and its cold hardiness lets you plant early in the spring and harvest late into the fall, even into the winter months if you give it some protection.

Can kale handle snow?

Crops that can survive under snow—but not sustained freezing temperatures or ice–include asparagus, rhubarb, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cress, rutabaga, spinach, endive, horseradish, kohlrabi, kale, leek lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, radishes, and turnips.

Is kale a winter vegetable?

Winter greens are green leaved vegetables, closely related to the cabbage, that are seasonably available in winter. Common vegetables described as winter greens are chard, collards, rapini, and kale.

What vegetables will survive a frost?

Hardy vegetables are those that can survive temperatures as low as 20˚F before finally being killed. These vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, kale, leeks, rutabagas and turnips. Upon thawing out, these hardy vegetables will continue to grow between freezes.

How long does it take for kale to grow?

Starting Kale Seeds Direct seeds will mature in 55 to 75 days, while transplants will speed up the process, ready for harvest in about 30 to 40 days. Plant your crop again in the fall, six to eight weeks before the first expected frost — you can keep harvesting even after snowfall.

Can I grow lacinato kale indoors?

The photo below shows the three kinds of kale I grew last year: Russian Kale, Lacinato Kale, and Dwarf Scotch Blue Curled Kale. These types can all be grown indoors as full-sized plants or as baby kale microgreens.

Does kale need light to germinate?

Kale grows best in full sun but can tolerate light shade. Kale prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Seed germinates in 5 to 7 days at or near 70°F (21°C); sometimes seed can take up to 2 weeks to germinate if the soil is cold.