Taunton deane kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala)
A very old British variety of perennial kale that gives a tasty supply of greens all year round. It is also known as cottager’s kale and would have been common in vegetable gardens up until Victorian times. Plants can grow up to two metres tall and wide and are very hardy.
A Taunton Deane kale plant will grow for many years and can be easily propagated by taking cuttings. The leaves have more of a cabbage-like taste and texture than other types of kale and are best eaten when young and tender. Whole young side-shoots can be cooked like broccoli. Larger leaves can be blanched and used for stuffing in a similar way to vine leaves.
Planting
Potted kale plants can be planted out anytime as long as the ground is not frozen. Kales will grow in very low temperatures (if the temperature is above 6 degrees Celsius for even a few hours a day, you will see some growth). If you are planting out in summer, it is best to plant in the evening. Try to disturb the surrounding soil as little as possible and dig a narrow hole, deep enough to cover the top of the rootball with about 5cm of soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water before back-filling with soil. If there is strong sunshine, provide some shade for the first few days after planting. If it is really hot and the plants are wilting even in shade, you can cut a portion of the bigger leaves away to reduce the surface area through which the plant loses water. Either remove a few big leaves completely or cut them in half).
Propagation
The simplest way to propagate perennial kales by cuttings is, you cut fairly large branches (30-40cm), trim all the leaves off except one or two of the smallest new leaves at the tip and simply push them deep into the ground.
If you want to take cuttings and pot them up, use shorter, thinner branches (try using the small gnarly branches from near the base of the plant, as they are woody and often root better than new growth from the top. Spring and autumn are the best times for taking cuttings, but it is possible at any time really.
A Taunton Deane kale plant will grow for many years and can be easily propagated by taking cuttings. The leaves have more of a cabbage-like taste and texture than other types of kale and are best eaten when young and tender. Whole young side-shoots can be cooked like broccoli. Larger leaves can be blanched and used for stuffing in a similar way to vine leaves.
Planting
Potted kale plants can be planted out anytime as long as the ground is not frozen. Kales will grow in very low temperatures (if the temperature is above 6 degrees Celsius for even a few hours a day, you will see some growth). If you are planting out in summer, it is best to plant in the evening. Try to disturb the surrounding soil as little as possible and dig a narrow hole, deep enough to cover the top of the rootball with about 5cm of soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water before back-filling with soil. If there is strong sunshine, provide some shade for the first few days after planting. If it is really hot and the plants are wilting even in shade, you can cut a portion of the bigger leaves away to reduce the surface area through which the plant loses water. Either remove a few big leaves completely or cut them in half).
Propagation
The simplest way to propagate perennial kales by cuttings is, you cut fairly large branches (30-40cm), trim all the leaves off except one or two of the smallest new leaves at the tip and simply push them deep into the ground.
If you want to take cuttings and pot them up, use shorter, thinner branches (try using the small gnarly branches from near the base of the plant, as they are woody and often root better than new growth from the top. Spring and autumn are the best times for taking cuttings, but it is possible at any time really.
