Why grow your own Kale from Seed?
Kale has grown to become a popular vegetable on the plot and its green leaves provide all the nutrients and goodness you need. It might not develop flowers or fruit, but the Kale itself is a tasty addition with eggs at brunch or sauteed in a stir fry. Dobies offers a range of Kale varieties that you can grow on your own veg patch, like ‘Scarlet’ for crimson/purple highlights and compact ‘Yurok’ which grows well in small spaces. You can grow Kale in beds and borders or in a container on the patio. The best part is snipping off your leaves and introducing them to your kitchen home cooked meals.
How To Grow Kale Plants From Seed?
- Sow in a seed tray and propagator/greenhouse. Sow kale seeds in April to May for a steady winter crop.
- Use a decent peat-free seed compost and sieve over the seeds, gently firm with a tamper to make sure they get a good strong start.
- Prick out the young seedlings and transplant them gently with a dibber into pots and grow on until June, place in a cold frame if possible.
- In preparation for final planting, pick a good spot in the garden or veg plot & fork in some good organic matter. Some slow-release comfrey pellets can also be added.
- When the Kale plants are at 4 plus leaf stage, these sturdy strong plants can be transported to their prepared spot.
- When planting, firm in properly and thoroughly water it. Use a watering can with a Rose attachment to avoid washing out the soil.
How to care for your Kale Plants
To maintain strong Kale development in your crops, keeping young plants moist is a must. A tip would be to water deeply in the cool early morning or dusk conditions, and add a mulch or Organic Nitrogen feed too. Common garden pigeons often like the look of kale, so to be on the safe side, a net will be required.
Can you grow Kale in containers and pots?
Many Kale varieties grow well in pots and containers on the patio or balcony, so whatever space you have, you will be able to grow your own nutritious Kale. If your kale plants aren’t thriving in summer, don’t worry because as the outside temperature cools down the kale will pick back up and come into its own.
Buy Kale Seeds Online from Dobies!
