How to grow... Kale & Borecole

Rocket Growing Guides

kale

Kale is a super nutritious vegetable that falls into the Brassicas category. Brassicas need to be looked after in much the same way. It’s a big category, with cauliflower, calabrese, broccoli and  others too. They are great ones for growing in the garden and you’ll feel extra smug and healthy eating them when you’ve grown your own!

  • Planting Tips
  • Growing advice
  • Chef's Corner
Choosing a site for growing veg

The right site

Kale needs a sunny site with deep, firm, moisture retentive soil.

growing veg in pots and raised beds

Can be grown in....

Kale is best grown in raised beds or a well dug veg patch.

Autumn Winter Large Vegetable Garden

How far apart?

About 30cm apart.

When your plants arrive....

Your baby plants will arrive carefully packed in straw. They may look a little tired from their travels. This is quite normal but, as soon as possible, carefully unpack them all.

Each type of plant will have an identification label to help you spot which they are. Lay them out into their respective plant types (e.g. lettuce, cauliflower, peas). Then, stand them upright, being especially careful with the ones that aren’t in bio pots. The roots may be dry, so give them all a good drink of water by submerging the roots for a few minutes in a container of clean water.

Now you are ready to plant your Rocket Garden. Try to do this within 24 hours of the arrival of your plants.

Looking after your plants....

Kale, like most brassicas, is fairly hassle free. Follow these tips and you’ll do just fine.

Kale

Feed them

Make sure plants don’t dry out – regular watering is important during dry spells. Use a liquid feed once they’ve started to grow a little, as they need a little extra nitrogen.

Kale

Protect them

Keep weeds down and cover with a netting to keep birds away

Watch out for....

  • Caterpillars and slugs
  • Cabbage rootfly
  • Pigeons and rabbits
  • Clubroot

They're ready to harvest when....

You’ll be able to see when your kale is ready. Use scissors to cut them from the base.

Storage Tips

Harvest kale as you want to eat it – it will store in the fridge for a few days, but is much better cooked fresh.

Ways to cook

We quite like cooking up a super kale and potato hash with a poached egg for brunch. A great start to the day!

Recipe Idea

Coming soon..

Types to try