Which Kale to grow?

[duggie]

I've not grown kale before but a fellow plot holder grew loads this year and passed a few bundles our way. We thought it was delicious and the perfect crop to keep us going during that lean winter period. Can anyone recommend a particular variety? Leaning towards the curly dwarf variety as it looks like the stuff we were given but the black tuscan looks interesting.

[northepaul]

Yes I love kale, its the one brassica I have successfully grown!
I have hungry gap - which is a green crinkly one - very prolific, easy to grow - can be chewy on the stalks.
Red Russian - the best one for flavour and looks - slower growing but flavour is 5 *
Cavolo Nero - mine are sparadic, but love the dense green flavour - yum!
Hope that helps

[binley100]

We grew dwarf green curled.........it's a pain cleaning the white fly off

[duggie]

Red Russian - the best one for flavour and looks - slower growing but flavour is 5 *

Sounds good to me northepaul - thank you

We grew dwarf green curled.........it's a pain cleaning the white fly off

Is it worse than keeping the white fly off other brassicas binley?

[arpoet]

We grew dwarf green curled.........it's a pain cleaning the white fly off

Yes, i grow dwarf every year and love it, but have to agree with the whitefly.
I just pull (or cut if the ground is frozen) the whole plant and dunk it in the water butt, then give it all a good shake. Back home I strip the soft leaf from the leaf spines, immerse in cold water for a few mins and find it cooks easily and tender in the pressure cooker.

[Florence Fennel]

I've just ordered some Cavolo Nero seed from T&M, also trying kale for the first time.

[Two_Sheds]

I've kept my curly kale under debris netting this year, and the whitefly isn't as bad as usual - the worst leaves go to the guinea pigs.

My black kale has failed for the last 2 years - the seedlings just don't grow

[Bren In Pots]

I've grew Cavolo Nero for the first time last year just 6 plants that I started it off the end of April, I've got more space now so grow more of it this year.

[smallblueplanet]

If I could only grow one it would be the Black Tuscan aka Cavalo Nero. It's great.

[Nicki85]

I'll be growing Sutherland Kale again this year... Survived everything from caterpillars to cabbage root fly etc. Also stood happily over winter and has started growing a little bit on the warmer days now! And it tastes good- more like spinach than true dark green kale, really tender.

I'll also be trying Nero Di Toscana Precoce as well this year

[duggie]

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations. Think I'll go with the dwarf variety this year.

[Jono]

I grow Dwarf Green Curled. Its been very reliable and last ages. I absolutely love Kale, and I grow loads of it as its so handy to have through the winter.

[Dane End Dolly]

I love the cavalo nero and the first time i grew it, the pigeons did not touch it, wonderful, best crop. Last year, the buggers stripped it to the stem, still onwards and upwards, i really enjoy it and it is definately on my growing lost again this year, except i shall net it

Kx