Kale does best in cooler weather, but sometimes they can last into the early spring for quite some time. In North Florida, you can plant anytime from August through February.

Direct sow or transplant seedlings ¼ inch deep or less, with plants spaced about 12–18 inches apart. Kale are hungry crops but also can subsist on less, but will grow lush, in fertile, healthy soil. Add compost or other organic fertilizers as needed, keep the soil covered with a thick layer of leafy mulch, and water regularly during extended dry periods.

Kale can be harvested leaf-by-leaf throughout the season. Pick the larger outer leaves while leaving the younger leaves growing in the center, and the plant can continue producing for quite a long time. Some varieties can also be harvested as a whole plant and may re-grow after cutting.

If you eat a lot of kale, consider succession planting—starting new seeds or transplants several times throughout the growing season. This keeps a steady supply of young, productive plants coming along as older plants begin to slow down.