Seakale seeds

[bazzaboy]

Seakale seeds... When to plant? Found a packet I’d overlooked, bit old but evidently they last for years (bobbing around on the sea I’m told, which presumably is where the name “sea-kale” comes from as opposed to pronouncing the name as “seek-ale” which sounds more like someone looking for a pub…. ). Bit strange if they start life bobbing around like that if they prefer to grow in near drought conditions…? - is that right? As you might glean I don’t know a lot about sea-kale (know more about seek-ale) so any tips useful…. I asked Marshalls and they said they didn’t know! But I bet someone on GYO does…. So, please, when do I plant the seeds and in what conditions, how should I treat them and when do I get to eat anything?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Baz I have some unsown seeds too and a plant that I bought last year from Seeds, Eclectic Victorian Vegetable Seed from Pennard Plants Apparently you blanch the young shoots in spring - I have a couple of months to go yet!

[rustylady]

Found this for you Vegetable Growing - Sea-kale and this Sea Kale Seed 'Lillywhite' (Crambe maritima)

[kathycam]

I got some from the James Wong range, will try and track the packet down later and sees what it says. It's a perrenial so I guess its all about getting the plant established the first year or two and then later you can blanch them.

[hamamelis]

My aged gardening book says to sow march-april, and sand off some of the corky coating before you sow.

That book also says the traditional Victorian way of growing them included digging up some of the plants in autumn, trimming off the side roots for replanting in spring, and forcing the main shoot indoors, as well as forcing outside later. You can eat the unblanched leaves too like spinach.

I got some seeds too this year, lets see how they do!

[veggiechicken]

Looks like the start of a Seakale Growing thread
Shall we all have a sow this year?

[Aberdeenplotter]

pigs not allowed on my plot

[BarleySugar]

I've just looked up seakale, sounds interesting, but I'd resolved not to buy any more seeds this year . I also considered cheating and getting some thongs from Marshalls, but then I'll need to buy something else to make the most of the postage costs

[veggiechicken]

Don't be such a boar, Ap

[bazzaboy]

I *knew* GYO would have all the answers, thank you very much everyone who's contributed, I now feel I've the full facts and will print them off as a guidebook! Still a bit early to plant them but will be patient, will scarify as they are unusual seeds (bit smaller than a pea, lighter, like bits of cork) and see what happens. And the detail has made them even more interesting. As I don't live very near the sea hope they won't miss that too much.... Thank you, will post any developments.

[kathycam]

My seed packet says "Sow your seeds 25mm deep into well drained soil in a sunny spot. Dig a good couple of spadefuls of grit into soil prior to planting and keep well watered while your plants establish. Apart from this your plants will only need hard pruning in the late autumn, cutting them down to ground level. Seakale is a herbaceous perrenial and can be picked year after year"

Sow April- June harvest July- November and second year harvest May to November.