The pros and cons of perennial kale and its alternatives

If you are new to my allotment videos you might find a bit of context useful. We live in the north west of England, in Lytham St Annes, which I believe is the equivalent of USA Zone 8. Fairly mild, but very windy.

We have three allotments in my family, mine (Steve), my wife's (Debbie) and my middle daughter's (Jennie). We also have a small kitchen garden at home. They are all managed in an integrated fashion, so don't expect to see the usual mix of veg on each plot. I do most of the planning and seed starting. We each have our own plots, but we all help each other out.

Jennie's plot has been designed as a traditional allotment, but we put a lot of focus on minimising the work we do there. It's basically a plant and forget it plot, full of garlic, leeks, onions, beetroot, brassicas, squash, beans and fruit trees. It's heavily mulched to reduce weeds and to reduce the need water.

Debbie's plot is mostly full of perennials, it's an ornemental plot. Again we did a lot of work to keep the weeds down and Debbie's approach is inspired by the TV programme The Ornamental Kitchen garden.

My plot is all about experimental growing, maximum productivity and year round abundance. As with all of the other plots I did a lot of work to control the weeds, but it's a high maintenance plot. I'm always planting, harvesting, experimenting and generally having a great time.

Collectively the plots deliver an amazing abundance of fruit and veg all year round. Debbie, Jennie, Jon and I are effectively self sufficient in veg all year round and in fruit for much of the year. During winter we sometimes have enough surplus to feed our local family. During the rest of the year when the surplus from our house garden comes on stream we have surpluses in some crops for quite a few friends as well.

This video provides an overview:


I do an update of the allotments, roughly twice a month, you can find the tours here:


Our approach to allotment life is to: grow as much as we possibly can, to be self-sufficient in veg all year round and in fruit in season, to give away our surplus to friends and family, and to have as much fun as possible. For more on self sufficiency check out these videos:


We are not slaves to gardening though, I spend about 14 hours a week on the plots (on average) Debbie and Jennie a lot less. We keep nudging that down as we eliminate non-productive work: like grass cutting, weeding and watering as much as practical. We are both newbie gardeners, only starting the allotments in 2016.

I'm a bit obsessive about the nutrient density of the veg that we grow and making the plots easy to work because it's through this allotment lifestyle and food that I've overcome a debilitating auto-immune disease.

I'm always aware though that it might not last so I make sure that I don't work too hard, eat as much organic fruit and veg I can and design the plots so that I can still work them when I flare up.

[ginger_wby]

Thanks pal. Was really keen to see your kale collection! Kind regards and happy growing (through the storm especially)

[AJWGBFX]

Hi Steve, I bought a perennial kale 2 years ago in spring. No idea what I was doing so put it in the polytunnel. Wow what a monster grew. In the late winter I took some cuttings, dug it up and replanted it outside. That summer it produced seeds. I'm growing some of these this year to see if they grow true.

[nukasallotment]

Hallo Steve. You know I like the kales. I got put off curly kale two year's ago when they were infested with white fly. I have one Taunton Dean perennial kale which I bought 5-6 years ago for £7.00 from Pennard plants. It is now 6-7ft tall and staked in my garden. (its end is nigh!). The pigeons don't touch it but I think they may in a very cold winter, and they certainly would if it were on the allotment. I have about 15 plantlets of Taunton Dean perennial kale, (finally) successfully taken last spring. I shall keep a couple and sell the rest off for charity. I think I have killed off the Daubenton kale but may have saved a couple of cuttings - or not. As you know, I am impressed by your 1000 headed kale and the hungry gap kale. As usual, no space for more than one of them. I use a couple of kale leaves in my smoothies. I shall also try to grow a couple of kalettes this year, influenced by you and your love of them. Take care. Nuka..

[juned]

I got cuttings of Daubentons and Taunton Deane In November, I have them in the greenhouse in pots hopefully rooting well so I can plant out in the spring. This is my first encounter with them. previously I have grown, curly kale, Nero and dwarf kale, along with collard greens and spinach. I have found even in the greenhouse the plants are not coping with the very cold conditions when temperatures get real low. Thank you for the video its very helpful.

[ReallyGottaTap]

Surely you must be the King of Kales! Loved the perennial vs. annual info. Thank you so much. I may have to figure out how to do at least a low tunnel in my garden. Your kales are gorgeous! Do you do veg boxes? You must be able to feed so many mouths.

[ben-fezy]

Really useful video, as usual. My Nero di Toscana, Dwarf green curled and Daubentons were all eaten by rodents this year. The moment the frost hit, they climbed up the stems, ate the leaves and channeled into the stems themselves. Guess, like us, that they like the sweet Kales post-frost.

[johnkay]

Hi, I found your video on kale most interesting, but I'm having difficulty in finding perennial kale (cuttings or seeds) at a reasonable price locally in Essex.
I wonder whether you have ever tried either pollarding or coppicing your tall perennial kales before they get so tall. Most shrubs & trees seem to make new shoots & 'bush-up' after being cut-back quite hard.
Regards, JohnnyK.

[alisonforrester]

Thanks so much for this Steve... This year with my new allotment, brassicas are one of my challenges. Not done them before. I have some of everything, so going to try and see what my allotment space likes ( I don’t have a poly tunnel yet) then change for next year. Your videos are so helpful. I’m sure I’ll be asking for advice or rewatching many of your videos as I have already... I’m trying nearly everything you’ve suggested, perennial wise Ive got Daubenton, Taunton Deane and Panaché Daubenton... have a good weekend, Alison

[elissaodonoghue]

Hi Steve, Great video. I hope you still follow the comments. I have a 1000 headed kale I stuck in a rocky part of the garden 2 years ago because it was an extra seedling. Even though it went to seed, it kept growing so I left it there and this year it has tons of little heads we've been picking for a few weeks. The problem is it is 6 feet tall now and straggly and impossible to support because of the rocks. Do you think I could take cuttings or should I just buy new seeds and start again? Thanks for sharing all of your expertise.

[whatigrownlallotment]

Hello Steve, last year I grew only nero di toscana kale, white fly is a big problem on that plot. Neem oil and netting helped. On my new plot I will probably grow it again together with the curly cale, and Ethiopean kale as an experiment. take care Joyce 💚👩🏻‍🌾🍀

[hibernianmelody]

Interesting video. Thank you for sharing

[napalmholocaust]

Brassica can root from the stem. Take the ones your pulling and instead dig them up with the rootball and lay them down in a trench with the top poking out. Horizontal layering really, prolly have new starts along the stem too.
Ten pounds a plant is worth that small trouble.

[gwenscoble]

Hi Steve, how do you protect your perennial kales from butterflies? I have brassica cages which I can move as I change my bed contents (pseudo rotation). I think I'd grow perennial kale in with my shrubs as they seem to be that sort of dimension. Your video has been very informative and I think the alternatives would be a better fit for me. Thanks Gwen

[patientswim]

Hi Steve, Ive watched a lot of your videos over the last few weeks. You really are king chiefy when it comes to feeding yourself. Im always left wondering though... how in the world do you eat so much brassica leaf? What do you do with it? Many thanks

[TheEssexAllotment]

Hi Steve - love kale, have always grown annual but purchased a perennial cutting in Jan. looks to have taken really well so far.

[Yin-Yang-]

Great informative video.
Love, Light, Peace & Gratitude.

[Cel]

hi. i only have a window box. what dark green leafy veg can i grow.? i did rainbow chard last year which worked well. i was intending to grow perennial kale until i watched this! hope you are well

[damienanderson]

Hi I got one of these plants but wasn't sure how it grew and now has fell over in the wind. So I was wondering if I cut the main stem is that game over for it or will carry on growing?

[rogueon]

Hi Steve, I just purchased 3 cuttings of Taunton Deane and they have at last arrived. They are a little wilted, but I have followed the internet and planted these up in potting compost with a little vermiculite. How long until these root and when would I expect to see them brighten up? They are in a very warm south facing window for now.

[failsworthboy]

Steve, I see you have a rechargeable pump from Bosch. Are they available in the shops or is it a product not yet available?