Kale
Kale can thrive almost anywhere and grows well in the open air, in pallet collars and in pots. Wherever you plan to grow your kale, it’s good to pre-cultivate it.
When to sow kale?
Kale can be direct sown outdoors or in a pallet collar and if you’re reading this in May or June, that’s your best bet. Kale is cold-hardy and relatively fast-growing and if you manage your cards right, you can get a harvest even if you direct sow as late as June or July.
However, small plants are at greater risk of being snail food or exposed to infestation by soil fleas. That’s why it’s a good idea to push your seedlings indoors in spring before setting them out.
Pre-cultivation
We usually sow our kale in March. But bear in mind that the plants can get bulky after a while and you’ll need somewhere to dispose of them as they grow – it might be an idea to wait until April.
Sow first in the growing bed in nutrient-poor seed soil. At first the plants will want it quite warm, around 20 degrees. Once the leaves have started to emerge, they want to be in a bright, slightly cooler spot. Water continuously with a spray bottle.
When the plants have developed their character leaves, i.e. the leaves that form after the first two heart leaves, it is time to retrain them. Cabbages can be transplanted to a medium-sized pot straight away, but for best results, it may be a good idea to intermediate in a smaller pot. Use nutrient-rich potting soil and place the plant a little deeper than it was previously.
Then just water and wait.
Outdoors, on a pallet or on the balcony
When spring arrives, it’s time for the kale to come out. Wait until the risk of frost nights is over. To harden off your plants, leave them in a sheltered position outside during the day for a few days. They will probably be a bit sluggish at first, but they will soon get used to it.
In pallet collars and outdoors
The big advantage of growing kale in a pallet collar is that it is easier to protect from animals. One disadvantage is that soil in a pallet collar loses nutrients faster than soil in the open. On the whole, however, growing cabbages in a pallet collar is very convenient and also looks good. Bear in mind that cabbages will grow very large, so put two or maximum three plants per pallet collar.
Use nutrient-rich soil and water regularly. We use cover cropping, which works very well. We don’t need to water as often or add as much nutrients. But watch out for slugs!
If you’re going to grow a lot of cabbage, outdoors is the best option.
On the balcony in a pot
Kale requires a lot of soil and therefore a large pot. Ten litres will go a long way, but if you can fit a fifteen-litre pot, the cabbage will thrive even better.
Fertilisation and nutrition
Kale can survive most things, but grows better if it has nutrient-rich soil. Fertilise in spring and then add nutrients throughout the summer. Nettle water or so-called ‘gold water’ (one part pee, 10 parts water) are cheap and sustainable alternatives.
Watch out for animals!
There are three main dangers to cabbages: slugs, cabbage butterfly larvae and deer.
When the plants are small, it is important to protect them from slugs. Remove any you see and, if you’re growing in a pallet collar, put some kind of slug stop on it.
Cabbage butterflies are very beautiful, but their larvae are not as fun. Protect with cabbage netting and make sure to build high stands so that the cabbage can grow freely.
Deer can be difficult to keep at bay. They must be stopped with fences or with sturdy protective nets.
Harvest and eat!
Once the summer has arrived and the kale has established itself, it’s finally time to harvest! It’s fine to harvest continuously throughout the summer, but make sure to save most of the plant so that it continues to grow.
One of the best things about kale is that it can be harvested throughout the autumn and even winter, because it is so cold hardy. After a mild winter, you can even harvest all the way into spring. What’s more, it’s even tastier after the first frost!
There are a thousand ways to eat kale. Our favourite is kale chips, which we make quickly and easily in the oven. Or why not add a bunch of freshly picked kale to a classic pesto genovese?
Author: Johanna Damm
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2022-10-14