Starbor
Kale in the US
Starbor is a dependable curly kale that offers good yields of flavorful leaves. Giving it an undercover start helps ensure strong plants for a decent harvest.
Sow window for Kale generally, zone 6. In season now.
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How to grow it
Kale's a cool season crop, so you want to get it going in spring or fall. For warmer USDA zones, that means early spring, even January or February, then again in late summer or fall. If you're in cooler zones, aim for April or May, then July or August. You can sow seeds direct into the ground, about half an inch deep, or start them indoors a few weeks before your last frost date. Space them about 2 inches apart in rows, then thin them out later. Succession planting every few weeks means you'll have a steady supply.
If you've started seeds indoors, once they've got a couple of true leaves, it's time to prick them out into individual pots. Give them a good few weeks to harden off outside before planting them out properly. Find a sunny spot with good soil, and give each plant about 18 to 24 inches of space. That seems a lot, but they grow into proper big plants, like. Some of the dwarf varieties do great in containers too, so don't feel you need a huge plot.
More Kale varieties
Track your Kale from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
