Kale

Sow kale indoors from April to June, or outdoors in a seedbed from May. Plant out at 45–60cm spacing from June to August. Kale is very hardy and can be harvested through winter and into spring.

Holes are most commonly caused by cabbage white caterpillars or pigeons. Net plants from planting out to exclude both. Check the undersides of leaves for caterpillar eggs and remove them by hand.

Yes — frost converts some of the starches in kale leaves to sugars, making the flavour noticeably sweeter and less bitter. Many growers deliberately leave kale in the ground through the first frosts.

Yes, but use a large container (at least 30–40cm deep) and a fertile compost. Kale grows large — one plant per container is realistic. Water regularly as containers dry out faster than open ground.

Kale is a leafy brassica and responds well to nitrogen-rich feeding. Work well-rotted compost or manure into the soil before planting, and apply a nitrogen-rich liquid feed (nettle tea, fish emulsion or a balanced liquid feed) every three to four weeks during the growing season. Avoid high-potassium feeds — kale grown for leaves needs nitrogen, not potassium. Well-fed plants produce larger, more tender leaves over a longer picking period.