French Kale

A kind present from our Member Atticus L.



Gratefully received along with the National collection of heritage varieties seeds, including Ne Plus Ultra Peas.

I'm sure Harry has mentioned that one on The Victorian Kitchen Garden series.

Cheers Atticus, will be getting those on the go soon

 

Nice. Not tried the French Variety, but I love the taste of Kale... an aquired taste Ive heard, but considering how well it grows and its tolleration to harsh environments... I love it!

Cant say Ive got a garden big enough to experience what I think they call 'the hungry gap', but isnt this one of those vegetables that helps out here?

 

Just googled it... I didnt believe you :WINK1:

 

:D I have that variety & made my first picking today from 2nd season plants. Just cut them down when they've done their stuff & they'll come back again next spring.

Going to move mine to a permanent bed during the summer & give them a load of rotted badger poo.

 

We tried the dwarf green curled variety last year, but it never actually made it to winter as it was completely decimated by the caterpillars :th_scifD36:

We did get a good few steamings out of it though.

This year were growing the same dwarf curled, and nero di toscana (spelling?) So this year, going to try and keep an eye on them so we get a nice tasty treat next winter... if all else fails, is it possible to sow mid-late summer to get decent sized winter crops?

 

Mid summer is good, give it a chance to get its roots established before winter. I like to get my brassicas done before summer. Got better things to do in summer than fight against babbage whites.

More interesting crops to be dealing with & fish to be caught from the sea.