Kale is a cool weather plant that grows best when the temperature is under 75°F. It is typically grown in spring or fall, but can continue growing through the winter in Zones 7-10. For a spring or fall harvest, kale should be placed in a full sun location to produce an abundance of leaves. However, if you live in a climate with hot spring or fall temperatures, it can be planted in partial shade, but yields may be smaller. Kale is not a summer crop, unless you live in a cool summer climate. In hot summer temperatures, kale should be planted in part shade to keep it happy. One strategy is to plant kale in a spot that receives full sun in spring and partial shade in summer. Another option is to grow kale in containers, placing them in full sun in spring and moving them to part shade when the summer heat peaks.
