What to do with Kale???

[eskymo]

Hi there all.

I planted Kale last year and just let it grow and grow and then harvested some, ate it, thought it was lovely and carried on letting it grow.

It overwintered and I kind of forgot it was there and then today thought...mmm Kale, now that would be nice, let's have some for tea and I went out to get some and it has flowered beyond belief and so I thoguht better of it.

Does this means it's past it - uneatable?
Do I cut off the flowers?
Should I just dig it up and compost it?

Have a look at the picture and tel me what you think...

[eskymo]

not sure how to get your images to appear large within the post - I thought you had to put in the URL - but it's just added a link and also put in the attached image as a thumbnail link...I don't think I'm ever goign to master that one!

[Alice]

Eskymo, just click on the image within the post and it comes up large. Then click on the X in top right hand corne to close it. Don't know the answer to your Kale question but love the piccy. Love all piccies. Think I'm just nosey to look at other peoples piccies. Love a nosey around gardens.

[eskymo]

No I mean how to embed the images within a post rather have them appear as thumbnails you need to click on to enlarge. I've seen other post where folk have embedded large images within their text and I just can't get it to work.

[Alice]

Eskymo, maybe I'm wrong here as I'm no IT expert but I was of the impression we had been asked to attach images as thunbnails for the benefit of Grapes who are on dial up so as not to waste their time and money loading large images they may not wish to see. Did I get that all wrong? Whoops!

[eskymo]

I get your point...as a web designer with a fast broadband connection, I often forget that people are still using dial up...until I get a client who has dial up and I have to go and train them on how to update their website and have endless tea breaks because it takes half an hour to upload three images, whereas on Broadband it would take just a minute.

So I agree - thumbnails are better for those still on dial-up.

[Peter]

Eskymo, yes it is past its best now, best go the way of the brussels sprouts and into the compost.

BTW, if feeding children kale that is not the smallest freshest leaves, cut it into bite sized pieces before steaming it. Our youngest nearly choked on kale, 'cos the leaf she did not bite or cut had a stringy mid-rib. Ever since we have pre-cut it.

Definately one of the best winter greens, hardy, bot all invested in one big lump and reliable unlike my ruddy sprouts (good name 'cos that's all they did this year.).

[Squirrel]

Chooks love kale if you've got any of those!

[gcroft]

yeah as mentioned its generally past it from april onwards, unless you want to save seed dig it up and compost it and replace it with fresh ones if thats your intention. Nevermind chickens tortoises go mad for it

[eskymo]

no chickens unfortunately. I'll dig it up and put it on the compost bin. I'm not sure I've got any more seeds. I grow it more for the look of it than anything else as it's got a great structure.