Kale: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Kale with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 18, transplant ~Apr 1, direct sow ~Mar 18 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About kale
Kale stands through frost, heat, and neglect better than almost any garden green, providing months of nutritious leaves for smoothies, chips, and braised dishes.
Spacing & yield
Kale wants 12×18 inches and about 1.5 lb per plant at ~65 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Harvest lower leaves first, leaving the growing tip intact for continued production.
- A hard frost sweetens kale noticeably — plan your main crop for fall harvest.
- Fertilize lightly with a balanced feed at midseason to maintain leaf quality.
- Cover with row fabric if aphids or cabbage worms become problematic.
Common mistakes
- Stripping all leaves at once instead of harvesting from the bottom up.
- Skipping pest scouting for cabbage worms, which can defoliate plants quickly.
- Spacing too close; 12-inch in-row spacing prevents competition and disease.
Harvest & storage
Snap lower leaves at the stem when they reach dinner-plate size, starting around 65 days from sowing.
Strip stems, wash, dry, and refrigerate in a bag with a towel for up to 10 days; freezes well blanched.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for kale: beets, celery, onions, potatoes, dill. Avoid planting beside: strawberries, tomatoes.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 4 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks before frost. Direct sow is also an option around 4 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How far apart should kale be planted?
- Space 12 inches within rows and 18 inches between rows to give the broad leaves room to spread.
- How much does one kale plant produce?
- A single plant yields about 1.5 lb of leaves over its productive life, often spanning spring through late fall.
- Does kale survive frost?
- Yes — kale is hardy to about 20 F and flavor improves after exposure to freezing temperatures.
- How long until kale is ready to harvest?
- Baby leaves can be picked in about 30 days, but full-size leaves for cooking are ready at around 65 days.