How to plant kale in fall?

Plant kale in the fall for the sweetest harvests; a few chill nights and days will accentuate the flavor and improve the quality of your harvest. Timing is critical, so count back 8 to 10 weeks from your first expected frost date. That way, you'll give the plants enough time to establish before hard frosts arrive, but not too much summer heat to stunt their growth.

Plant seeds directly, ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep, in rows 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Water with 1 cup (240 mL) per plant three times a week while getting established. Use shade cloth if temperatures exceed 75°F (24°C), as germination will be delayed. Thin seedlings to 12 inches (30 cm) in height. When true leaves appear.

Mulching. This is done after germination. Apply 6 inches of straw mulch when the seedlings are 3 inches high. This insulates the soil under the mulch, keeping it warm despite a drop in temperature. In my garden, butternut kale in mulch can survive a fall of 10 degrees lower than unprotected plants.

Install row covers before night temperatures drop consistently below 25°F (−4°C). Create a layer of air pockets between the plant canopy and cover to avoid frost contact using hoops. Raise the row cover on sunny days when the nighttime temperature is above 45°F (7°C) to ventilate the bed and reduce humidity, thereby preventing diseases. In protected beds, harvesting can continue into December.

How to plant kale in the fall? For optimal fall planting: Direct sow 8-10 weeks prior to the first frost. Use cold-tolerant varieties such as Winterbor or Red Russian. Mulch heavily after germination. Apply row covers when temps drop below 20°F (-7ºC).

Read the full article: How to Grow Kale: Ultimate Guide for Home Gardeners