[compostqueen]

Cavolo has been the toughest survivor so far, and the pigeons only started to eat it in the depths of winter when there was nothing else    I like it!  I think it's great in soups and stews, oh and stir fries of course

[bazh]

Another one for Nero Di Toscana here I grow it every year and not just as a winter green we use it in salads when it's young I must be in a minority though it's never bothered by slugs or pigeons so it's the only brassica that doesn't get netted white fly do like it but a soapy spray every week seems to work, I will be gowing dwarf green curly this year after trying some from a friend.

A lot on our site knock kale but if cooked properly it's an easy to grow, lovely tasting and versatile veg.

[shokkyy]

Yeah, the reason I've never grown it before is because I thought it was truly disgusting when I bought some from the supermarket Hopefully freshly grown will be a big improvement on that.

[Bing]

Yeah, the reason I've never grown it before is because I thought it was truly disgusting when I bought some from the supermarket Hopefully freshly grown will be a big improvement on that.

the one sold in shop is simply shredded leaf of kale. when pick your own kale, you can choose the best and remove the hard bit in the middlw of the leaf. then cook the tender bits. Kale is very nutritous.

[galen]

I'm doing dwarf green and cavolo nero this year. I'm new to kale, so can anyone advise me how many plants I need to get a steady supply for two people?

Shokkyy like sunshineband I grew 10 plants of my Reflex Kale (and 4 Tuscan) and had a supply of Kale all winter. By that I mean I could have had 2 meals a week for 2 of us with the Reflex and 1 of the Tuscan - Hope that makes sense.

[Growster...]

Cavolo has been the toughest survivor so far, and the pigeons only started to eat it in the depths of winter when there was nothing else    I like it!  I think it's great in soups and stews, oh and stir fries of course

Did you have to net it CQ?

Agree totally about soups and stews, it really does bring some green (red) bulk to the mix!

[sunshineband]

I did net mine as I didn't want pigeons to even nibble it a little bit ... blue water pipe with four foot canes, and bird netting weighted down was quick and easy to move aside for harvesting

[Growster...]

I did net mine as I didn't want pigeons to even nibble it a little bit ... blue water pipe with four foot canes, and bird netting weighted down was quick and easy to move aside for harvesting

Thanks KC - nice to know you managed to get that done - we will probably net too!

We tried to use the older stems, but the steel bars that they produce down the leaves, became somewhat rusty and hard on the mandibles...;0)

[sunshineband]

I did net mine as I didn't want pigeons to even nibble it a little bit ... blue water pipe with four foot canes, and bird netting weighted down was quick and easy to move aside for harvesting

Thanks KC - nice to know you managed to get that done - we will probably net too!

We tried to use the older stems, but the steel bars that they produce down the leaves, became somewhat rusty and hard on the mandibles...;0)

 

I managed to palm them off on folks' chickens 

[Aidy]

Tuscan, cavollo, palm cabbage, which ever name is in fashion at the time  for me.

I prefer the flavour over the curly kinds, but it is personal choice of course.

[Nikkithefoot]

I have grown dwarf green curly kale, red curly kale, tuscan kale and one other I can't remember.

I always come back to the dwarf green. Small sturdy plants, about 8 will provide a steady supply until it gets really cold, then they sit there until spring when you can get a late flush before they go to seed. Having said that if you keep picking regularly you can keep them going until about now on occasion.

The other varieties I have grown get tall and are subject to a bit of wind rock (my site is fairly exposed), and never seen to provide as much return IMHO.

Dwarf green for me every time.

[annied]

Once again thanks for all the interesting info. I might have a go a growing a few dwarf and a few of the italian and see how we get along. have noted this morning that the pigeons have decided to nest in the conifer in the garden!. Everything is already netted, might have to include the Kale as well. Will be interesting to see if the pigeons are interested as you all appear to have had differnt experinces with our feathered friends 

[LonghornGardens]

The black Tuscan is probably the most attractive, but I prefer the taste of the Russian Red.

[New shoot]

I like the Italian black kale for pasta sauces and soup and usually grow green one as well for side veg.  I'm thinking 6 of each for 2 of us will see us through 

We tried to use the older stems, but the steel bars that they produce down the leaves, became somewhat rusty and hard on the mandibles...;0)

 

I managed to palm them off on folks' chickens 

I can confirm that my chickens thoroughly enjoyed the gift of bolted kale plants Sunshine brought for them a few weeks ago , although they stripped them down to stalks and steel bars, so even they baulked at tackling those 

[Growster...]

I like the Italian black kale for pasta sauces and soup and usually grow green one as well for side veg.  I'm thinking 6 of each for 2 of us will see us through 

We tried to use the older stems, but the steel bars that they produce down the leaves, became somewhat rusty and hard on the mandibles...;0)

 

I managed to palm them off on folks' chickens 

I can confirm that my chickens thoroughly enjoyed the gift of bolted kale plants Sunshine brought for them a few weeks ago , although they stripped them down to stalks and steel bars, so even they baulked at tackling those 

I wish I'd known chooks liked them News, I chucked all ours for compost...

We've got a chum nearby with six hens, and they are darlings...