Lacinato Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia)
1 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early April to early July
- Site
- 5+ hours of sun, soil pH 6.5–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Brassica downy mildew
In the UK, lacinato kales go in the ground early April to early July.
Lacinato kales (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia) — biennial grown as an annual, or true biennial for winter harvesting.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early April in Southern England to early April in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early April to early July |
| Midlands | early April to early July |
| Northern England | early April to early July |
| Scotland | early April to early July |
Southern England - detail & sources
The only source gives no region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide hardiness rating (H7, hardy in the severest European continental climates) with the crop bred specifically for winter harvest implying a spring/summer sowing window, so one window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Midlands - detail & sources
The only source gives no region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide hardiness rating (H7, hardy in the severest European continental climates) with the crop bred specifically for winter harvest implying a spring/summer sowing window, so one window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Northern England - detail & sources
The only source gives no region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide hardiness rating (H7, hardy in the severest European continental climates) with the crop bred specifically for winter harvest implying a spring/summer sowing window, so one window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Scotland - detail & sources
The only source gives no region-specific UK dates; RHS gives a UK-wide hardiness rating (H7, hardy in the severest European continental climates) with the crop bred specifically for winter harvest implying a spring/summer sowing window, so one window is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Sunlight | 5-5 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | chalk, clay, loam or sand, firm and fertile (RHS) |
| Drainage | well-drained |
| Lifecycle | biennial grown as an annual, or true biennial for winter harvesting |
| Edible parts | leaves |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: moist but well-drained (RHS)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Sow outdoors in fertile but firm soil that isn't too acidic, or start in modules/seedtrays indoors (RHS). |
| Transplanting | 3 | Transplant once seedlings have 5-6 leaves; may require staking in exposed locations given its tall, upright habit (RHS). |
| Leaf growth | 4 | Long, narrow, blistered black-green leaves develop through the season; full sun or partial shade, moist well-drained soil (RHS). |
| Winter harvest | 8 | Specifically bred for winter harvesting -- picked leaf by leaf through the cold months (RHS). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Bred specifically for winter harvesting (RHS); pick individual long, blistered leaves as needed once plants are established, leaving the growing point to keep producing through the season.
Diseases
Pests
Lacinato Kale, Bed to Border
References
-
Also marketed as Cavolo nero; produces long, rolled-inwards, black-green leaves with high yield. Hardiness H7 (hardy in severest European continental climates, below -20C). Full sun or partial shade. Soil: chalk, clay, loam or sand; moist but well-drained; alkaline or neutral pH. Height and spread 0.5-1m. Time to maturity 1-2 years. Sow outdoors in fertile but firm soil that isn't too acidic, or start in modules/seedtrays indoors and transplant once seedlings have 5-6 leaves. Designed for winter harvesting; may require staking in exposed locations. PESTS: flea beetles affecting seedlings, butterfly caterpillars, pigeons (netting required), snails, cabbage root fly, mealy cabbage aphids that can spoil the harvest. DISEASES: susceptible to brassica downy mildew, white blister, and club root (which accumulates in soil where brassicas were previously grown).
1 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow lacinato kales in the UK?
In Southern England, from early April. In Scotland, wait until early April. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow lacinato kales?
Sow early April to early July.
What soil pH do lacinato kales need?
A pH of about 6.5–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect lacinato kales?
Our data links 3 diseases and 5 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.