Kale: Vates Blue Curly

Description

Kale has become a standard ingredient in many healthy dishes, from smoothies to soup, stir-fries and bakes. It can be dry-fried and spiced up to make chips. The nutty flavour and consistent form even when cooked sets this green (or in this case ‘blue-green’) apart from the likes of spinach and chard. 

Kale is easy to grow in one’s home garden and the leaf is attractive in a mixed border. In fact, why not install a mix of kale varieties for dramatic effect?

In many gardens it will last through to a second season and, even when the cabbage white caterpillars and aphids come out in force, kale eventually shrugs those off and carries on producing nutritous leaves. 

All greens are ‘hungry’ so plant in well-composted soils and feed them with organic fertiliser for best results. Best to sow in autumn and spring but results can be had all-year-round. 

Did you know? The crinkly leaves of this compact plant are rich in vitamin A. Pack some punch in salads by adding baby leaves.