leafy · transplant · beginner friendly
Kale: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating kale a few times a week needs about 12 plants in ~24 sq ft, worth about $96 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$4.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 | ~6 sq ft | ~4 | ~$24 |
| 2 people | 6 | ~12 sq ft | ~8 | ~$48 |
| 4 people | 12 | ~24 sq ft | ~15 | ~$96 |
| 6 people | 18 | ~36 sq ft | ~22 | ~$144 |
Spacing
16" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.25"
Days to harvest
45 from transplant (60 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 30 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 13 – Feb 10 | Sep 4 – Oct 20 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Jan 21 | Sep 14 – Oct 30 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 2 lbs per plant over ~16 productive weeks (~2 lb).
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with carrot.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
35 kcal · 4.1 g fiber · 93.4 mg vitamin C · 348 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.