Growing KALE

Brassica oleracea acephala

Kale is still on the rise in popularity, and rightly so. It is the easiest veg to grow successfully all year round, even in the winter. Sow winter kale in August. The last of the warmth will get your seedlings growing well and to a good size for planting out. Summer kale can be equally delicious and very productive. Sow from March onwards, or in February under cover for kale all summer.

As the seeds are small, I always sow into a seed tray first, then prick out into cell trays or pots ready for planting out. This will give you an assurance of a good strong plant. Like with all brassicas, planting deep into fertile soil and firming in well will give the plants a good anchor. This will prevent them from rocking in the wind. Once mature, kale is very nearly the hardiest of all the veg. It will tolerate temperatures down to -10º and rarely has issue with slugs or caterpillars. But like all plants, during the early stages of its life it will need some protection with horticultural fleece to get it off to a good start. Kale grows well in the greenhouse over winter as well, which gives you a much more tender and sweet crop than that grown outside. The kale outside will yield, albeit slowly through the depths, but as soon as the soil starts to warm in spring it will start growing on, filling the hungry gap with delicious, nutrient  packed leaves.

I would suggest a cut-and-come-again picking technique as this will prolong the production of each plant. Simply remove the lowest leaves allowing the new growth to grow on.

Try Westland Winter for a solid winter crop. Red Russian for the greenhouse and summer cropping and Dazzling Blue for its colourful beauty.

Kale is versatile in the kitchen - I especially like it roasted, tossed in a little oil and tamari, then baked in a hot oven for just a few minutes.