How To Sow Kale For A Crop Over Winter

Kale is hugely nutritious and provides a crop when there is little else

We are sowing Dwarf Green Curley Kale in late summer/early autumn for a crop over the winter. We are sowing the seed in seed trays, pricking out into pots then transplanting into the vegetable beds once the summer vegetables have finished.

 You will need:

•    kale seed
•    seed tray
•    seed compost + Perlite
•    sieve
•    tray which holds water
•    labels

Fill the tray with good quality peat-free seed compost mixed 50/50 with Perlite; this opens up the structure of the compost allowing it to drain better and not form a hard crust on the top. Knock the tray on the bench to settle the compost.

• Sow the seed thinly on the surface.
• Sieve a thin layer of compost over the seed.
• Stand the tray in the tray of water for 10 – 15 minutes until the compost is damp; watering overhead can wash the seeds into clusters.
• Place somewhere cool until germinated.
• Once the seedlings have formed 2 pairs of leaves prick out into individual pots.

If you would like more vegetable based information just contact our Outdoor Plant people here in store or watch the videos on our Youtube channel.