How to Grow April Green
Wikimedia Commons
April Green
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableApril Green is a cold-hardy kale variety known for its tender, sweet leaves that improve in flavor after frost. This non-heading kale produces abundant deeply curled or frilly foliage and is an excellent cool-season crop for spring and fall harvests.
When should you plant April Green in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example April Green timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant April Green
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest April Green
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact April Green dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cool weather and tolerates hard frosts
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Get my April Green timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge with first true leaves appearing within 1-2 weeks
Keep soil consistently moist; provide bright light if indoors; thin seedlings to prevent crowding
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple large, deeply curled leaves; stem thickens and foliage expands rapidly
Water deeply and regularly; apply balanced fertilizer or side-dress with compost every 3-4 weeks; monitor for pests
Leaf Development
2-3 weeksMature leaves reach full size with characteristic frilly texture; plant becomes bushier and more robust
Continue consistent watering; apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage leaf production; begin harvesting outer leaves
Peak Production
4-8 weeksPlant is fully mature with maximum leaf yield; flavor becomes sweeter after exposure to frost or cold temperatures
Harvest regularly to encourage continued production; frost actually improves sweetness as starches convert to sugars
Harvest & Decline
Until frost, bolting, or season endLeaves are continuously harvested; plant may bolt (flower) in spring or warm conditions, signaling season end
Continue picking outer leaves; remove any flowering stems; plant can overwinter in mild climates for spring regrowth
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers for young plants; hand-pick caterpillars; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad; encourage parasitic wasps
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Row covers; reflective mulches; neem oil; insecticidal soap; diatomaceous earth
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Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil; insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
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Hand-pick caterpillars; Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); spinosad spray; encourage natural predators
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and
Hand-pick at dusk/dawn; beer traps; copper barriers; diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles and toads
Uses
Raw salads and smoothies
CulinaryYoung, tender April Green leaves are milder and less bitter than other kales, making them ideal for fresh salads, smoothie bowls, and fresh eating. The frilly texture adds visual appeal and crunch. [source]
Cooked greens and soups
CulinaryMature leaves excel in sautéed, steamed, or braised preparations. They are excellent in soups, stews, and grain bowls, becoming tender and sweet when cooked. [source]
Nutritional superfood
MedicinalApril Green is extremely nutrient-dense, rich in vitamins A, C, K, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. Regular consumption supports bone health, immunity, and disease prevention. [source]
Ornamental landscaping
HouseholdThe deeply frilled, textured foliage is visually striking and can be used as an ornamental addition to vegetable gardens or landscape beds, especially in cool-season displays. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower (in spring following overwintering), April Green produces bright yellow blooms that attract pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 12-18 inches tall, typically 50-60 days after planting. Pinch or cut individual outer leaves from the base, allowing the center to continue growing. Harvest regularly for tenderness and continuous production. April Green sweetens significantly after frost; the best harvests occur in fall and early spring. Leaves are most tender in early morning. Plants can produce for 2-3 months if harvested regularly.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 April Green gets its name from its peak harvest season in April when spring growth is vigorous, and it can actually be planted in late summer for a spring harvest in many zones.
- 🌱 Kale's flavor becomes noticeably sweeter after frost because cold temperatures trigger the conversion of starches into sugars, acting as a natural antifreeze for the plant.
- 🌱 April Green can be ornamentally striking with its deeply frilled blue-green leaves, so attractive that it's sometimes grown in flower arrangements and decorative displays.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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