Read the source range before choosing a number
The linked guide gives two figures: 12 inches within rows 24 inches apart in its Planting and Spacing section, and 12 to 18 inches in its summary. Those are not identical instructions. Pick one figure, write down which one you used, and keep it consistent across your plan and plant count. The worked example below follows the detailed section at 12 inches. If you prefer the wider end of the summary range, that is a separate choice you must label and apply yourself; this guide does not calculate a result for it.
Spacing within a row is only one input. The 24-inch row separation in the source is a row-to-row figure, not a rule for paths, bed edges, trellises or how much room a mature plant needs. Decide those separately for your site, and record each decision rather than assuming the row interval covers them.
- Write down which source figure you are using: 12 inches from the detailed section, or a value from the 12 to 18 inch summary range.
- Record the row-to-row figure you are applying and note that it does not set path, edge or support distances.
Source context: Utah State University Extension
Separate sowing, thinning and retained plants
Sowing density, thinning decisions and the final stand are different stages. A spacing figure describes the plants you intend to keep, not the number of seeds you sow. Kale seed is often sown more thickly and then thinned, so the count you mark on a row should be the retained plants at the chosen centers.
Marking positions before thinning helps you see the target stand. Place a marker at each intended center, then thin seedlings so one retained plant sits at each marker. The counted item in the example is retained plants, not seeds, seedlings or harvests.
- Mark intended centers along the row before thinning.
- Thin so one retained plant remains at each marked center.
- Label the count as retained plants, not seeds or seedlings.
Source context: Utah State University Extension
Worked example: one 96-inch row at 12-inch centers
The example uses a measured 96-inch row, 12-inch centers and a 6-inch margin at both ends. The first center falls at 6 inches and the last at 90 inches, giving 8 retained plant positions. This is a geometrical count for one row, not a recommendation for an entire garden or a raised bed layout.
The 6-inch end margins are part of the example, not a spacing rule from the source. They keep the first and last plants away from the row ends. If you change the row length, center interval or margins, the count changes. The linked row calculator can count this exact length, center interval and both end margins in inches or centimeters.
- Measure the row length in inches or centimeters.
- Enter the center interval and both end margins into the row calculator.
- Check that the first and last centers match the margins you entered.
- Confirm the result is a count of retained plants for that one row.
Source context: Utah State University Extension
What one row does not decide
A single row count does not describe a whole garden. Access space, bed edges, supports, adjacent rows and the mature habit of the plants must be chosen separately. The source's 24-inch row separation is one input for row-to-row planning, but it does not tell you how wide a path should be or where a raised bed edge belongs.
Record the chosen within-row spacing for kale, then plan additional rows using your own row separation and access decisions, counting each row separately.
- Choose access, edge, support and adjacent-row distances separately and record them.
- Count each row on its own rather than scaling one row count to the whole garden.
Source context: Utah State University Extension
Check your measured example
One measured 96-inch row, with selected 12-inch centers and 6-inch margins at both ends. Count 8 retained plants.
Reference and growing system: USU’s kale Planting and Spacing section gives 12 inches within rows 24 inches apart; its summary also mentions 12–18 inches. This example follows the named detailed section.
| Quantity | Calculated result |
|---|---|
| Usable row length (in) | 96 |
| Selected center spacing (in) | 12 |
| Margin at each row end (in) | 6 |
| Positions in this row | 8 |
| First center from row start (in) | 6 |
| Last center from row start (in) | 90 |
| What is being counted | retained plants |
The worked example is a geometrical count, not crop advice: a 96-inch row with 12-inch centers and 6-inch margins at both ends places the first center at 6 inches and the last at 90 inches, giving 8 retained plant positions. It follows USU's detailed Planting and Spacing figure of 12 inches within rows 24 inches apart, while the source summary also mentions 12 to 18 inches. The 6-inch margins are example inputs, not a spacing rule, and the count covers one row only.
Count this row in the spacing calculator ↗Example inputs explain the method. Review the source context, chosen cultivar and actual site before planting or ordering.
Your before-you-plant checklist
- Source figure chosen and labeled as 12 inches or a value from the 12 to 18 inch summary range.
- Row length measured in inches or centimeters.
- Center interval and both end margins entered in the row calculator.
- First and last center positions checked against the margins.
- Count recorded as retained plants for one row, with access and adjacent-row decisions noted separately.
Questions that come up while planning
Should I use 12 inches or 12 to 18 inches for kale spacing?
The linked guide gives 12 inches within rows 24 inches apart in its Planting and Spacing section, and 12 to 18 inches in its summary. Choose one figure, label it, and keep it consistent. The worked example uses 12 inches from the detailed section.
Does the 8-plant count mean I should sow 8 seeds?
No. The count is retained plants at the chosen centers. Sowing and thinning are separate stages, so you may sow more and then thin to the marked positions.
Does one 96-inch row count tell me my whole garden layout?
No. It is a geometrical count for one row. Access, supports, adjacent rows, bed edges and mature habit must be chosen separately, and each additional row should be counted on its own.
Sources & method
Horticultural guidance is linked to its original source and regional context. Geometry and unit conversions are calculated separately. Read how we prepare and check a page.
- How to Grow Kale in Your GardenUtah State University Extension