How Long Do Kale Take to Grow? Practical Timeline and Growing Guide

Introduction: Why knowing kale timing matters

Want a steady supply of greens without guesswork? Knowing exactly how long your kale will take to grow changes everything. Answering "how long do kale take to grow?" helps you plan succession sowing, avoid bolting, and pick leaves at peak flavor.

Baby kale can be harvested in 25 to 30 days from seed, full-size kale generally needs 55 to 75 days, and starting with transplants often trims 10 to 20 days. In this guide you will get variety-specific timelines, a month-by-month planting schedule, soil and temperature tips that speed growth, harvesting cues, and quick fixes for slow plants.

Quick answer: Typical kale growth timeline

Want the short answer to "how long do kale take to grow?" Baby kale leaves are ready in about 21 to 30 days from seed, often sooner if you start with 3 to 4 week old transplants. Mature heads or full-size plants take roughly 55 to 75 days, depending on variety; curly kale tends to be faster, lacinato kale can take longer. For practical planning, sow every 2 weeks for a continuous supply, or stagger transplants. Harvest baby leaves by snipping outer leaves or cutting entire plants early, and harvest full heads by removing outer leaves as needed, which encourages more growth.

Key factors that change how long kale takes to grow

Ask "how long do kale take to grow?" and the honest answer is it depends. Variety matters most, curly kale and Russian types reach baby-leaf stage in 25 to 30 days and full maturity in 55 to 75 days, while Lacinato often takes 60 to 80 days. Transplants shave about 2 to 4 weeks off time to harvest compared with direct sowing.

Temperature changes growth a lot. Aim for 60 to 70°F for fastest leaf production, below 50°F slows growth, and prolonged heat above 80°F can cause bolting and bitter leaves. Soil fertility and drainage also matter, use well-drained soil with pH around 6.0 to 7.0 and a generous 2 to 3 inches of compost incorporated before planting.

Light and water finish the list. Full sun, six to eight hours daily, speeds growth; in hot summers partial shade prevents stress. Keep soil evenly moist, roughly one inch of water per week, using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to avoid disease.

Step by step planting timeline, week by week

If you searched how long do kale take to grow? here is a realistic, week by week roadmap so you know exactly what to expect.

Week 1, sowing: plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, keep soil evenly moist, cover with light soil. Germination in 5 to 10 days.

Week 2 to 3, seedlings: true leaves appear, thin to 2 to 3 inches for baby leaf harvest, or leave for transplanting. Start feeding with a balanced fertilizer or a light compost tea.

Week 4 to 5, establishment: plants form several true leaves, transplant outdoors if started indoors, space 12 to 18 inches for full-size kale. Keep soil moist, about 1 inch of water per week.

Week 6 to 8, rapid growth: expect steady leaf size gains, side-dress with nitrogen if growth stalls. You can harvest baby greens now, pick outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Week 9 to 10 plus, mature harvest: full-size leaves ready, most varieties harvestable at 50 to 75 days. Watch for bolting in warm weather, and pests like cabbage loopers. For continuous harvest, pick older outer leaves and leave the crown intact.

Which kale varieties grow fastest and why it matters

If you Google how long do kale take to grow, the answer depends on variety and whether you want baby leaves or full heads. Here are common types and typical days to harvest.

1. Red Russian, 30 to 45 days for baby leaves, 40 to 55 days mature.
2. Siberian, 30 to 45 days baby, 45 to 55 days mature.
3. Curly Green, 30 days baby, 50 to 65 days mature.
4. Lacinato or Toscano, 30 days baby, 55 to 75 days mature.
5. Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch, 35 days baby, 55 to 75 days mature.

For fastest harvests plant Red Russian or Siberian and pick baby leaves at 3 to 5 weeks. For storage and cold tolerance pick Lacinato or Scotch types, their thicker leaves keep in the fridge 7 to 14 days and improve after a light frost. Plant every 10 to 14 days for continuous supply.

10 proven tips to speed up kale growth

If you wonder how long do kale take to grow, try these 10 proven tips to speed growth.

1. Start seeds indoors four weeks before last frost, transplant at two true leaves, compare to direct sowing.
2. Warm the soil with black plastic or a cloche to hit 50 to 70°F, speeds germination; test one covered bed.
3. Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart, less competition means bigger leaves faster.
4. Side dress with 1 cup compost per plant every three weeks, watch growth jump within two weeks.
5. Feed with a balanced soluble fertilizer at half strength every two weeks, measure leaf size change.
6. Mulch 2 inches around plants to retain moisture and cut weeds, try a mulched versus unmulched row.
7. Water deeply twice weekly, check moisture 2 inches down, roots grow faster with deep watering.
8. Use row covers to block pests and light frosts, plants stay stress free and grow quicker.
9. Pinch back tips at 6 inches to encourage branching and more harvestable leaves.
10. Rotate brassicas yearly to reduce disease stress, healthier plants mature sooner.

Troubleshooting slow growth and common problems

If your plants lag well beyond the usual 55 to 75 day window, first ask this: how long do kale take to grow under ideal conditions? If your answer is longer, check these causes.

Nutrient gaps, especially nitrogen, show as pale older leaves and slow canopy fill. Fix it with a quick side-dress of compost or a water-soluble fertilizer like fish emulsion, repeat every three weeks. Magnesium deficiency responds to Epsom salt, one tablespoon per gallon poured around the base.

Pests stall growth too. For caterpillars use Bacillus thuringiensis, for aphids use insecticidal soap, and for flea beetles try row covers until plants establish.

Bolting occurs in heat or stress. Provide afternoon shade, keep soil evenly moist, mulch, and pull flower stalks early. Test pH 6.0 to 7.0 and loosen compacted soil to speed recovery.

Harvesting timing, techniques, and storage for peak flavor

If you ask "how long do kale take to grow?" expect baby greens in about 21 to 30 days, and full-size leaves in roughly 55 to 75 days. For baby greens, use sharp scissors to cut stems about 1 inch above the soil, harvest whole rows at once, then water to reduce transplant stress.

For mature leaves, pick outer leaves first, leaving the central crown and at least four healthy leaves. That encourages regrowth, which usually produces another harvest in 2 to 4 weeks; feed with a light nitrogen boost or a handful of compost after a heavy pick.

Storage tips, fast: rinse, spin dry, wrap in paper towels, place in an airtight container in the fridge. Baby greens keep 3 to 5 days, mature kale 7 to 10 days. For longer storage, blanch 2 to 3 minutes, cool in ice water, dry, then freeze.

Succession planting schedule for a steady supply

Wondering how long do kale take to grow? Expect baby leaves in 4 to 6 weeks, mature plants in 9 to 12 weeks. Start seeds or transplants every 2 weeks, spacing plants 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. If harvest starts at week 6, a 12-week window with 2-week intervals gives 6 staggered cohorts. Example: sow weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10; harvest begins week 6 and continues.

Conclusion and quick checklist to speed up your first harvest

If you wonder how long do kale take to grow? expect 30 to 70 days. Quick checklist:

1. Start seeds 4 to 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow in cool soil.
2. Plant in rich soil, pH 6 to 7, full sun or light shade; thin to 8 to 12 inches.
3. Mulch, water 1 inch per week, side dress with compost, sow every 2 to 3 weeks for steady picks.