Did you know that one of the best times of all to plant kale and spinach is in the fall – and that the cooler the weather gets -the more the flavor of both improve?
It’s true! Kale and spinach are two perfect examples of crops that not only survive cooler weather but actually thrive in it. In fact, both of these leafy greens improve in flavor once a light frost touches their leaves, making them some of the tastiest vegetables you can grow as the season winds down.
Planting kale and spinach in late fall allows you to extend your growing season and harvest fresh, homegrown greens long after most other vegetables have faded. With the right preparation and a few simple planting techniques, you can enjoy tender, flavorful leaves deep into the colder months.
Here is a look at why these two vegetables love the cool weather, how frost actually makes them sweeter – and the best ways to plant and harvest both late into the season!
Why Kale & Spinach Love The Cooler Weather Of Fall
Unlike tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers, kale and spinach belong to a group of vegetables that thrive when the temperature drops. Both are considered cool-season crops. That means they grow best when daytime temperatures range between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
While warm-weather crops stall out or die back when nights turn chilly, kale and spinach continue to grow steadily, often looking even healthier as fall progresses.
The main reasons these crops perform so well in cooler conditions is because they naturally tolerate frost. Kale is one of the most cold-hardy vegetables you can grow. Some varieties can survive temperatures well below freezing, even into the teens. Spinach is also extremely tolerant of cold, with many types able to keep producing leaves until the ground freezes solid.
Cooler temperatures also slow down the growth of weeds and reduce pest populations. That means your kale and spinach can grow with less competition and stress, resulting in stronger, more productive plants.
How Frost Makes Kale & Spinach Sweeter In Fall & Early Winter
Perhaps the best part of growing kale and spinach in the fall is how their flavor improves with the first frosts. It may sound surprising, but a touch of cold actually changes the chemistry of the leaves in a way that makes them taste better.
When temperatures drop near freezing, the plants protect themselves. They do this by converting some of their stored starches into sugars. This process acts as a natural antifreeze, lowering the freezing point of the liquid inside the leaves so the plant cells don’t burst. For us as gardeners, this means that kale and spinach taste sweeter, richer, and less bitter after a frost.
Kale in particular can take on a wonderfully mild, almost nutty flavor in cold weather. Spinach leaves become more tender and lose the sharp, grassy edge that sometimes appears when they grow in hot weather. It’s one of nature’s best tricks—turning chilly nights into tastier harvests.
Preparing The Soil For Late Fall Planting
If you want your late-season kale and spinach to succeed, start with healthy, fertile soil. Both crops grow best in rich, loose soil that drains well but still holds moisture.
Before planting, clear away any leftover summer plants and work in a layer of compost or aged manure. This not only adds nutrients but also improves soil structure, giving the roots an easier time establishing quickly in the cool season. You don’t need to add heavy doses of fertilizer, but mixing in some organic matter goes a long way toward powering the plants through fall.
It also helps to smooth the soil surface and rake out large clumps. Kale and spinach seeds are small and need to make close contact with the soil to germinate well. A fine seedbed ensures even planting and strong, consistent sprouting.
Planting Kale In Late Fall
Kale is a versatile green that can be sown directly into the garden or started in small pots for transplanting. If you are planting seeds directly, sow them about half an inch deep and one inch apart in rows spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Affiliate Link: Organic Kale Seeds Vates Blue Scotch Curled.
Once seedlings reach three to four inches tall, thin them to one plant every 12 to 18 inches. The thinned plants are edible and make great baby greens for salads.
If you want faster results, you can also set out transplants instead of seeds. Plant seedlings about 12 to 18 inches apart to give each one room to grow. Mulching around the base of plants helps conserve moisture and keeps the soil temperature more stable as the weather turns colder.
Kale grows best when it gets consistent moisture. Try to water regularly, especially if rainfall becomes scarce in late fall. The plants don’t need much beyond that—kale is tough, resilient, and will continue to produce leaves for weeks, even after multiple frosts.
Harvesting Kale In Cold Weather
One of the great things about kale is that you can harvest it continuously over a long period. Start by picking the lower, outer leaves once they reach six to eight inches long. Leave the central growing tip intact so the plant keeps producing new leaves. As you harvest, the plant grows taller, resembling a little palm tree with new leaves sprouting from the top.
Kale can be harvested all through fall and into winter. In milder climates, plants may even survive the entire season and start producing again in early spring. If the ground freezes solid in your area, cover the plants with a layer of straw, fabric row covers, or cold frames to extend the harvest even further.
Planting Spinach In Late Fall
Spinach, like kale, grows quickly and can be harvested at almost any stage in the fall, from tiny baby leaves to large mature foliage.
To plant spinach seeds in late fall, sow them about a half-inch deep and two inches apart. Rows can be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. As seedlings grow, thin them to about four to six inches apart for larger leaves. Affiliate Link: Spinach Seeds For Fall Planting
Because spinach germinates best in cool soil, late fall planting is perfect for strong growth. Like kale, spinach prefers consistent moisture, so water as needed to keep the soil evenly damp. Mulching between rows can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Spinach leaves are ready for harvest just four to six weeks after planting, depending on the variety. That makes it one of the fastest greens you can grow, perfect for late-season planting when time is short before winter arrives.
Harvesting Spinach Late Into The Season
Spinach can be harvested in two main ways. For baby spinach, cut leaves when they are just two to three inches long, taking care not to damage the center of the plant. For larger, mature leaves, wait until they are four to six inches long and cut them individually.
Like kale, after you plant spinach in the fall, it will continue to grow and produce new leaves as long as the central crown remains intact. When temperatures stay cool, spinach leaves hold their quality longer without bolting.
This means you can keep harvesting fresh spinach well into the colder months. With protection such as a cold frame or row cover, spinach can last even longer, sometimes right through the winter depending on your climate.
Extending The Harvest
If you want to stretch your kale and spinach season as far as possible, consider using simple protective structures. Floating row covers, cold frames, or even low tunnels made of clear plastic can shield plants from wind and extreme cold while trapping warmth around them. See our article: Using A Cold Frame – How To Extend Your Growing Season With Ease!
These methods don’t require much investment but can give you several extra weeks or even months of harvest. Mulching heavily around the base of the plants also helps insulate the soil and roots. Straw, shredded leaves, or even grass clippings can provide a layer of protection that keeps plants thriving longer.
Here is to taking a little time to plant kale & spinach in your fall garden. And to a great late season harvest this year!
Simple Garden Life
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