Lexi Webster
Kale is a leafy green superfood that is easy to grow in Australia. It is a winter vegetable that can be grown in garden beds or pots and is suitable for all climatic zones. There are several varieties of kale grown in Australia, including Tuscan, Curly, Blue Curl Scotch, and Red Russian. Kale grows best in moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH and plenty of organic matter. It thrives in cool temperatures and full sun but will tolerate partial shade. With the right care, kale can be a healthy and delicious addition to any Australian garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | Dwarf Curly, Red Russian, Black Toscana, Tuscan, Curly, Blue Curl Scotch, Dwarf Siberian, Early Hanover, Redbor, Green Cossack, Chou Moellier, Nero di Toscana, Scotch |
| Family | Brassicaceae or Brassica |
| Nutrient Source | Nitrogen |
| Additions to Soil | Aged manures, pelletised chicken manure, “blood and bone”, compost, coir peat, liquid gypsum, sand, powdered bentonite clay |
| Pest Control | Crop rotation, mosquito netting, fruit fly exclusion netting, curtain netting, hosing, insect exclusion netting, bioinsecticide |
| pH Range | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Sunlight | Full sun in temperate areas, part shade in hotter regions |
| Temperature | Thrives in cold weather, can tolerate frost |
| Watering | Regular watering, mulching |
| Harvesting | After 7-8 weeks, break off lower leaves |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and fertiliser requirements
Kale is a hardy vegetable that can be grown in a variety of soils, but it performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It is important to prepare the soil before planting, ensuring it is nutrient-rich and free-draining. This can be achieved by mixing in organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost, several weeks before planting. Aim for a soil that is rich in nitrogen and has a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
When preparing the soil, it is also beneficial to mix in a balanced fertiliser to provide additional nutrients for the kale. A complete fertiliser with a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio, such as 10-10-10, is ideal. Alternatively, you can side-dress the plants with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, such as blood and bone meal, to promote leaf growth. Ensure that the fertiliser is worked into the soil several weeks before planting to avoid burning the roots of young seedlings.
Kale has shallow roots, so it is important to ensure that the soil remains evenly moist. A layer of organic mulch, such as straw or lucerne hay, can be applied to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems of the plants to prevent rot. Regularly replenish the mulch as it breaks down to maintain its benefits.
In terms of fertiliser requirements during the growing season, kale responds well to side-dressings of nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Every four to six weeks, side-dress the plants with a balanced fertiliser or a nitrogen-rich organic option. Water the fertiliser into the soil to activate it and ensure it reaches the roots. Avoid excessive nitrogen late in the season to prevent soft, leafy growth that may be more susceptible to pests and diseases.
For a continuous harvest, practice crop rotation and replenish the soil with organic matter and fertiliser before each new planting. This will ensure that the soil remains nutrient-rich and does not deplete its fertility. By following these soil preparation and fertiliser guidelines, you can successfully grow healthy and productive kale in your Australian garden.
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Climate and sunlight
Kale is a hardy biennial plant that can be grown in all climatic zones. It is a winter vegetable that thrives in cold weather and is easy to grow in garden beds or pots. It can be planted at any time but will produce a sweeter taste when grown outside of the warmer months. For Northern Australian locations, consider sowing in early July, and in southern Australia, you can plant until September.
Kale grows best in full sun, but it will tolerate partial shade. In temperate areas, all varieties of kale prefer full sun, but in hotter regions like Northern Australia, part shade will assist its growth and protect the leaves from burning or wilting.
Kale grows best in moist, well-drained soil to prevent fungi and diseases. The soil should be rich in organic matter and have a near-neutral to slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.5. If the soil is too acidic, add lime, and if it lacks richness, work compost or well-rotted manure into it.
Regular watering is required to provide the moisture kale needs. Mulching around the plants will protect the soil from moisture loss.
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Common pests
Kale, like any other plant, has its fair share of pests. Insect pests, in particular, can launch sneak attacks on kale plants.
Aphids
Aphids are a common family of small insects with soft bodies and sucking mouthparts that feed on kale plants. Large groups of aphids often appear on kale plants, causing a fuzzy or spotted appearance. They can be controlled by spraying with neem oil, which is made from the seeds of the neem tree. To use neem oil, dilute it according to the product instructions and spray it on your kale plants. It is best to reapply the oil every seven days. Another way to fight aphids is by introducing the parasitic wasp *Aphelinus abdominalis* to your garden.
Flea Beetles
Younger kale plants are more susceptible to flea beetle damage than older ones. Flea beetles are small (1.5–3.0 mm) dark-coloured beetles that jump when disturbed and often have a shiny appearance. They may overwinter on nearby weed species, in plant debris, or in the soil, and they may go through multiple generations in one year.
To prevent pest infestations, it is recommended to rotate crops and plant kale in a different spot each year.
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Harvesting
Kale is a biennial plant but is typically grown as an annual crop, especially in warm climates. When the season warms up, kale goes to flower or bolts, and once it bolts, the leaves become tough and bitter. If you notice your plant forming flowers, pick all the leaves before they become inedible.
If there are too many leaves for your household, take them to your local Harvest Swap, feed them to your chickens, or add them to your compost heap or worm farm!
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Varieties
There are over 50 types of kale, both ornamental and edible. However, only three varieties are readily available to grow: Dwarf Curly, Red Russian, and Black Toscana (Cavalo Nero).
Dwarf Curly
A compact, leafy green with mildly sweet, crinkled leaves.
Red Russian
A blue-green variety with purplish-red veins. Red Russian is sweeter than some other varieties and great for salads. It grows 45 to 90 centimetres high and can even thrive at a temperature of -10 degrees Celsius.
Black Toscana (Cavalo Nero)
A long dark green/blue leaf variety, also known as Tuscan kale, with dark green 'dinosaur' leaves. It is traditionally used in minestrone.
Other varieties of kale include:
- Dwarf Siberian: A compact plant 30 to 40 centimetres in height with blue-green frilled leaves.
- Early Hanover: Also known as premier, it has attractive smooth green leaves with scalloped edges. It is more tender than other kales and is ideal for juicing and salads.
- Redbor: Red-purple frilly leaves often used as a microgreen or baby green.
- Green Cossack: Wide feathered grey leaves with greenish-white veins. Young leaves are sweet and tender.
- Half Tall Scotch: Also known as Borecole, it has tightly curled leaves with a long harvest period.
- Gates Blue Curled: Heavily curled, blue-green leaves.
- Squire: An attractive heirloom variety with heavily curled blue-green leaves. It is sweet and tender and slow to bolt.
- Dwarf Green: Light green curly leaves on short stems.
- Bear Nessecities: Mature plants have feathery leaves similar to mizuna with a mild mustard flavour.
- Chou Moellier: A giant heirloom tree kale growing around 2 metres tall. Leaves are flat and slightly curled at the edges. It is also grown as a fodder crop for livestock.
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Frequently asked questions
Kale is a hardy vegetable that can be grown in all climatic zones. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It thrives in cold weather and moist, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
There are around 15-20 varieties of kale grown in Australia. Some common varieties include Tuscan kale (also known as Cavolo Nero or dinosaur kale), Curly kale, Red Russian kale, Dwarf Siberian kale, and Early Hanover kale.
Kale is generally pest-resistant, but it can be susceptible to cabbage aphids, harlequin bugs, and the larvae of the cabbage white moth. Crop rotation and using exclusion netting can help prevent pests.
