Kale is one of the few crops that gets better, not worse, the longer winter drags on.
Kale is a hardy brassica that shrugs off frost and often tastes better for it, making it one of the few crops that keeps producing right through a UK winter. Netting when young protects against the same pigeons and caterpillars that trouble other brassicas.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in April | Sow in May | ||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in June | Plant in July | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in January | Harvest in February | Harvest in September | Harvest in October | Harvest in November | Harvest in December |
Care details
- Sow April – May
Sow in modules or a seedbed.
- Plant June – July
Plant out into their final spot.
- Harvest September – February
Pick outer leaves regularly — flavour improves after the first frost.
Growing tips & common problems
- Firm the soil well around the base — brassicas rock loose in wind, which checks their growth.
- Net young plants against pigeons and cabbage white butterflies from the moment they're planted out.
- Pick a few leaves from each plant regularly rather than stripping one plant bare.
Grows well with
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