When to Plant Kale in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Sow March to July. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is March.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Kale guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Kale

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Kale is the toughest and most productive leafy green brassica, available in curly, flat (Tuscan/cavolo nero), and red Russian forms. It tolerates frost (which sweetens its flavour), handles some heat, and produces for 6-12 months with regular harvesting. A nutritional powerhouse and genuinely easy to grow compared to heading brassicas.

Planting Calendar for Subtropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - S S/D S/T/D T T - - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Kale sowing time in Brisbane?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Kale included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 20.4°C (optimal range: 5–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

That figure is read off my own weather station here at Dayboro in South East Queensland at 18:55 yesterday, not a model. The radar, the rain gauge and the forecasts behind it sit on Dayboro.au.

How to Grow Kale in Subtropical Australia

When to Plant

February-July (autumn-winter). Best planted March-April for strongest winter production. Summer growing is possible but quality drops.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost and aged manure. Tolerates a wider range of soils than heading brassicas.
pH Range
5.5-6.8
Sunlight
Full sun in cool climates. Part shade (afternoon) in subtropical and warmer zones.
Spacing
50cm apart, 60cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering 2-3 times per week. Consistent moisture produces tender leaves. Tolerates some drought but leaves toughen. Avoid overhead watering.

Companion plants: Onion, Garlic, Celery, Beetroot, Dill, Chamomile

Avoid planting near: Strawberry, Tomato, Other brassicas in immediate succession

Subtropical Growing Tips for Kale

Recommended Varieties

  • Red Russian
  • Nero di Toscana (Tuscan/Cavolo Nero)
  • Curly Blue Scotch
  • Siberian

Key Challenges

  • Cabbage white butterfly active most of year
  • Summer heat reduces leaf quality
  • Aphid pressure in dry autumn

Pro Tips

  • Kale is the best long-term brassica green for SEQ - one planting lasts 6+ months
  • Net against butterflies from planting; it's the single best investment
  • Harvest regularly from the bottom up; plants grow like palm trees over time

Harvesting Kale

When ready: Leaves are large enough to eat (15-20cm long for baby kale, 30cm+ for mature leaves). Dark green with firm texture. Lower leaves harvested first.

How to harvest: Snap or cut lower/outer leaves at the stem. Leave the growing tip and upper leaves to continue producing. Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at once. Twist and pull downward for clean removal.

Where to next

What kale costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the subtropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

The pest most likely to find your kale: Cabbage White Butterfly.

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Common Questions About Kale

When do you plant kale in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does kale grow all year round in Brisbane?

No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Mar to Jul. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.