UK sowing calendar
When to sow kale in the UK
Kale sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | Mar-May |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Mar-Jun |
| Harvest | Sep-May |
Sow Mar-Jun (indoors from March for an early start) and plant out firmly May-Jul. Very hardy and one of the best winter croppers - frost actually sweetens the leaves; net against pigeons and cabbage white caterpillars.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for kale.
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When to sow kale in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow kale in the UK?
Sow kale under cover Mar-May, then outdoors mar-jun. Sow Mar-Jun (indoors from March for an early start) and plant out firmly May-Jul. Very hardy and one of the best winter croppers - frost actually sweetens the leaves; net against pigeons and cabbage white caterpillars.
Can you sow kale outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant kale outdoors mar-jun. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is kale ready to harvest in the UK?
Kale is typically harvested Sep-May in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow kale?
It depends on the month and your region. Kale has a UK outdoor window of mar-jun; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.