When to plant Kale in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow kale direct from March to July in the subtropical zone — it is strictly an autumn and winter vegetable here, not the year-round staple it can be in cooler climates. Seed sown 10 mm deep germinates in six to twelve days in autumn soil, and with only 50–70 days to maturity a March sowing has you picking leaves by the start of winter. Give each plant room: 40–60 cm spacing sounds generous for a seedling but matters later, when airflow between mature plants is your first defence against the fungal problems humid coastal gardens breed.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to July.

Growing notes

In the subtropical zone kale is a cool-season crop full stop — the March to July window exists because the humid summer turns it bitter, aphid-ridden and fungus-prone, so resist pushing it past spring. Within the window there is a real difference between the ends: March sowings in Brisbane or Coffs Harbour still face warm soil and heavy cabbage white butterfly pressure, while May to July sowings grow slower but cleaner. Whenever you sow, treat exclusion netting as standard equipment rather than a nice-to-have; kale is a prime cabbage white target, and the caterpillars can skeletonise seedlings in days. Beyond that:

• Sow direct at 10 mm into soil enriched with compost — leaf crops are nitrogen-hungry.
• Keep plants at 40–60 cm spacing; crowded kale stays damp overnight and invites mildew in humid autumn spells.
• Water at the base in the morning, never overhead in the evening.
• Pick lower leaves from the outside and let the crown keep producing.

The most common failure is the too-early sowing: plants that germinate quickly in warm March soil then stall, get hammered by caterpillars and bolt. If that happens, resow in late April — with only 50–70 days to maturity, there is plenty of season left for a second attempt.

Kale at a glance

Companion planting

Grows well with

Nasturtiums: Trap crop for aphids and cabbage white

Marigold: Deters cabbage moth

Common questions

When do I plant kale in Brisbane?

Sow direct from March to July. Later sowings in May to July grow more slowly but face far less caterpillar and fungal pressure than March plantings.

What is eating holes in my kale leaves?

Almost certainly cabbage white butterfly caterpillars — kale is one of their favourite targets. Fine exclusion netting fitted from the day you sow is the most reliable fix.

Can I grow kale through summer in the subtropical zone?

It is not recommended. Heat and humidity make the leaves bitter and the plants prone to aphids and fungal disease, which is why the sowing window closes after July.

How long does kale take from sowing to harvest?

Around 50 to 70 days, with germination in six to twelve days. You can start picking outer leaves once plants are established and keep harvesting for weeks.

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