Kale Seeds - Pentland Brig

350 Seeds.

Other Names - Borecole…

• Different from most kales with it's less curly and more cabbage-like leaves
• Bred for flavour which is deliciously sweet and nutty
• An old trusted heritage variety gaining popularity again

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds, container garden

Sowing Months - March - July

Harvest - September - March

Gardening is about finding the right balance! Try growing Companion Plants close by to help deter pests.

• Growing a ground covering crop such as clover around the brassica plants helps to prevent the cabbage root fly laying its eggs at the base of the plants.
• Cabbage white butterflies are drawn to nasturtiums. Try growing these flowers close by as a sacrificial plant. They will help to draw the pest away from the brassica crop.
• Calendula (Pot marigold) attracts predatory insects such as lacewings, ladybirds and hoverflies who love to feast on aphids.
• White mustard can help to draw the flea beetle away from the crop as the pest normally favours this leaf. Mint can also help to deter the flea beetle.
• Low growing Limnanthes helps to keep the surrounding soil moist, supresses weed growth, attracts bees and hoverflies who's larvae feed on aphids. The plant can be dug in as green manure at the end of the season.

Soil Preperation

Add well rotted manure or compost a few months before sowing or planting. Lime if necessary as brassicas prefer an alkaline soil. Remove weeds from the area and add some general purpose organic fertilizer 2 - 3 weeks before sowing or planting.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Sow 2 - 3 seeds per 4 cm module. As soon as the seedlings emerge move to a well lit area to avoid leggy and weak growth. A windowsill or greenhouse is ideal. When the seedlings are large enough to handle remove the weakest seedlings, leave one strong seedling per module. Plant out 2 - 3 weeks later. They will need hardening off over 7 - 10 days before planting out. Plant out at the distance suggested above.
Set the plants about 3 cm deeper into the ground to what they were growing in the modules. Firm the soil around each transplant very well. Loose soil can affect the growth of brassica plants. Water well and cover with fine mesh.

Direct Sowing

When direct sowing it is best to start Kale in a well prepared seed bed, then in a few weeks the young plants can be transplanted into their final growing position. Sow 1 seed every 3 cm at the depth and row distance suggested above. Cover the seeds with soil and water well. To avoid problems from brassica pests the crop can be covered with fine mesh at this early stage.
When the seedlings are big enough to handle thin to 9 cm between each plant, keeping the stronger plants, discarding the weak. The young plants will be ready to transplant to their final growing position when they are 10 - 15 cm tall. Water the plants well the day before transplanting to help reduce stress. Transplant at the distance suggested above.
Set the plants about 3 cm deeper into the ground to what they were growing in the seed bed . Firm the soil around each transplant very well. Loose soil can affect the growth of brassica plants. Water well and cover with fine mesh.

Growing On

Hoe regularly to keep weeds at bay. Water well especially in dry weather. The plants will benefit from a mulch of compost to help keep the soil moist. Keep an eye on pests. Prevention is key, it is highly recommended to grow all brassicas under fine plastic mesh especially during the summer months as pests can spoil a healthy crop in no time. As the plants mature tread around the base of each plant to firm the soil, this will help to prevent them falling over in winds or heavy winter snow.
Remove yellowing leaves throughout the season. If tall varieties are grown or the site is exposed, in autumn sink a stake close to each stem for additional support. In the depth of winter the plants may not look too good however in early spring they should spring back into life producing heathy looking leaves once again.

Harvesting

Leaves are best harvested when young and no bigger than 15 - 20 cm in length. Pick the leaves with a sharp knife or pick with a sharp downward tug. Remove only a few young leaves at a time from each plant. Overly mature or yellowing leaves are not ideal for kitchen use. Regular picking in spring will encourage more leaves to grow until March when the kale plants start to grow tall before running to seed.