How to Grow Kale Microgreens
Brassica napus
Kale microgreens offer a rapid harvest of nutrient-dense greens from oilseed rape. Gardeners prize them for their intense flavor and ability to thrive in small spaces during cool weather.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Kale Microgreens: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Kale Microgreens is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds into the final growing location rather than starting indoors for transplanting.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds indoors or directly outdoors 2-6 weeks before the last frost date. Press seeds into the surface since they are tiny; do not cover them deeply as they need light to germinate. Expect sprouts in just 2-4 days.
Keep the growing medium consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, which causes damping off. Broadcast seeds densely so seedlings touch each other quickly. These microgreens grow low and do not require trellising or support structures. Mulch is unnecessary for such a short growth cycle, though light feeding can boost vigor if desired.
Watch for aphids and spider mites; ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew in humid conditions. Overwatering is the primary risk leading to damping off. Harvest your crop at approximately 90 days after sowing by snipping the greens just above the soil line when they reach desired size.
When to Plant Kale Microgreens
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 2 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 3 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 4 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 5 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 6 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 7 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 8 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 9 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 10 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 11 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January – December | — | January – December |
Companion Plants for Kale Microgreens
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
Attracts beneficial insects and has similar water and light requirements
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cabbage worms
Natural fungicide properties help prevent damping-off disease in microgreens
Compatible growing conditions and doesn't compete for nutrients
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial predators
Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from kale
Repel cabbage moths and aphids with their strong sulfur compounds
✗ Keep away from
Can shade microgreens and create excess humidity leading to fungal issues
Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt brassica growth
Release solanine which can inhibit brassica germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
