Winter-cropping kale Robust and hardy kale

picking there are many attractive varieties that will provide a steady crop.
Time to sow: late spring-eariy summer

Kale is an easy and reliable crop for Winter harvesting. it will grow in poorer soils than most other brassicas and doesn't tend to suffer from the same pest and disease problems, making it a perfect crop for inexperienced veg gardeners. It does need a fair bit of space, however, although just a few plants will give you regular pickings through the winter, because you only need to harvest a few leaves from each plant at a time.
Sow the seeds in modules or pots for planting out in midto late summer, once the plants are 10-15cm (4-6in) high. Space them 450m (18in) apart and earth up or firm the stems into the ground in autumn to reduce wind rock Keep harvesting the younger leaves throughout the winter months, and compost older ones as these tend to be bitter. Good varieties include ‘Dwarf Green Curled', which is ideal for the smaller garden; ‘Redbor‘, which has attractive, curiy, red leaves.

TIP Stake plants in autumn if your garden is particularly windy.

references: BBC 2011 gardeners book