Ragged holes in leaves

Cabbage worms and loopers. Handpick, use row cover, or treat with Bt; check leaf undersides for eggs.

Clusters of tiny insects

Aphids, which hide in the crinkles. Blast with water and treat with insecticidal soap.

Summer heat. Harvest in cool weather; it is at its sweetest after a frost.

Heat or maturity. Harvest regularly; pull and resow once it flowers.

Gardening

Hardy, nutritious, and sweeter after a frost. Productive for months from a single planting.

The free tool tailors timing to your climate and lets you save this plant.

Sun

Full sun

Hardiness zones

Zones 3–10

Spacing

12–18 in apart, rows 18–24 in apart.

Soil

Rich, well-draining soil with compost; pH 6.0–7.5.

Watering

Steady 1–1.5 in/week. Even moisture keeps the leaves tender.

Plant / sow (typical)

Apr – May

Harvest (typical)

Jun – Nov

Starting

Direct sow or start indoors 4–6 weeks early. Pick outer leaves and leave the center to keep it producing for months. Frost sweetens the flavor.

Companions

Good with Onion, Beet, Dill, Marigold. Keep apart from Tomato, Strawberry, Pole bean.

Ragged holes in leaves. Cabbage worms and loopers. Handpick, use row cover, or treat with Bt; check leaf undersides for eggs.
Clusters of tiny insects. Aphids, which hide in the crinkles. Blast with water and treat with insecticidal soap.
Bitter, tough leaves. Summer heat. Harvest in cool weather; it is at its sweetest after a frost.
Bolting (flower stalk). Heat or maturity. Harvest regularly; pull and resow once it flowers.