Kale 'Kapral'

Where to Plant
Plant Kale 'Kapral' in a sunny or lightly shaded position with fertile, firm, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Before planting, remove weeds and work in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure to improve the soil. Kale is a hungry crop, so good soil preparation will help plants establish strongly in autumn and produce plenty of leafy growth for harvesting through the colder months.

Planting
Space plants around 45cm apart, with approximately 45–60cm between rows. Plant each plug securely, firm the soil well around the roots and water thoroughly. Keep newly planted plugs watered during dry autumn weather while they establish. Giving plants enough room allows good airflow and plenty of space for the leaves to develop.

Watering & Feeding
Keep plants well watered while they establish. Once established, kale generally needs little additional watering during cool, wet weather, but don't allow the soil to become waterlogged. Water during prolonged dry spells and whenever the soil begins to dry out. A mulch of well-rotted compost or organic matter will help retain moisture, suppress weeds and gradually improve the soil.

Well-rotted compost or manure incorporated before planting will give plants a good start. If growth needs a boost, apply a balanced vegetable fertiliser, following the manufacturer's recommended application rate. Avoid excessive feeding late in the season, as the aim is to encourage steady, sturdy growth rather than lots of soft new foliage going into colder weather.

Winter Care
'Kapral' is well suited to growing through the colder months, providing useful fresh leaves when many other vegetable crops have finished. Good drainage is important during prolonged wet winter weather, and plants in exposed positions may benefit from some shelter from strong winds.

Check plants after hard frost, heavy rain or strong winds and gently firm the soil around any that have been loosened or lifted. Remove yellowing or badly damaged lower leaves to keep plants tidy and maintain good airflow.

Harvesting the Leaves
Pick the larger outer leaves first, working upwards from the bottom of the plant and leaving the central growing point intact. This allows the plant to continue producing fresh leaves for further harvests. Take only what you need each time and plants can provide repeated pickings over a long period.

Pests & Problems
Protect plants with insect-proof mesh or suitable netting to help reduce damage from cabbage white butterflies, cabbage root fly and pigeons. Pigeons can be particularly troublesome during winter when other food is scarce, so keep plants protected where they're a problem.

Check the undersides of leaves regularly for caterpillars and aphids, particularly during milder weather, and deal with small infestations before they build up. Slugs and snails can also damage young plants and lower leaves during damp conditions.

Good Companions
Kale 'Kapral' can be grown alongside onions, garlic, beetroot and aromatic herbs such as thyme, sage and rosemary. Calendula and nasturtiums are useful additions nearby, bringing extra colour while attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects into the vegetable garden.

Plan Your Brassica Bed
Growing 'Kapral' alongside other brassicas such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can make your vegetable plot easier to manage. Keeping these crops together makes it simpler to protect the whole area with suitable netting or insect-proof mesh and helps you keep track of where brassicas have been grown from one year to the next.

Make the Most of Your Crop
Unlike a cabbage that's harvested as a single head, kale can keep producing over an extended period. Harvest the lower outer leaves regularly and leave the centre of the plant untouched so fresh leaves can continue developing. This makes 'Kapral' particularly useful when you want fresh vegetables to pick through autumn and winter.

Crop Rotation
Avoid planting kale or other brassicas in the same area year after year. Moving them to a different part of your vegetable garden as part of a three- to four-year crop rotation helps reduce the build-up of soil-borne problems such as clubroot.

Reducing the Risk of Clubroot
Clubroot causes swollen, distorted roots and can leave plants stunted or prone to wilting. Once present in the soil it can persist for many years, so prevention is particularly important. Good drainage and sensible crop rotation can help reduce the risk, and avoid moving soil from an affected brassica bed into areas where you plan to grow future crops.

Top Tip:
Harvest 'Kapral' from the bottom upwards, taking a few mature leaves from each plant rather than stripping one plant completely. Leaving the central growing point intact keeps new leaves coming for future pickings.

Pick the Outer Leaves
Harvest the larger outer leaves as you need them, leaving the smaller centre leaves untouched. This allows the plant to keep producing fresh new growth for weeks.

Harvest Regularly
Picking little and often encourages a continuous supply of tender leaves. Avoid removing too many leaves at once, as the plant needs plenty of foliage to keep growing strongly.

Leave the Growing Point
Never remove the centre of the plant, as this is where new leaves develop. With regular harvesting, one plant can provide a long season of fresh pickings.

Even Better After Frost
Like many kales, 'Kapral' develops an even sweeter flavour after a light frost, making it one of the highlights of the winter vegetable garden.

Flavour
'Kapral' has a rich, fresh kale flavour with tender young leaves and a slightly sweeter taste after frost.

Best Enjoyed
Use young leaves in salads or cook larger leaves by steaming, stir-frying or adding them to soups, stews and pasta dishes.

Storage
Store freshly picked leaves in the fridge for up to a week. Keep them unwashed in a loose bag or container and rinse just before use.

Freezing
Kale freezes well. Wash and trim the leaves, blanch for 2–3 minutes, cool quickly in iced water, drain thoroughly and freeze in portions.

Top Tip
Harvest the youngest leaves for salads and save the larger leaves for hearty winter dishes, where their flavour really comes into its own.

Plug Plants
Supplied as healthy young plants with well-developed roots, plug plants are ready to be planted straight into their final growing position or potted on if preferred. Water well on arrival and keep the compost evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger, stronger and ready to plant straight into the garden. They establish quickly, giving you a valuable head start towards your harvest.

9cm Potted Plants
Supplied in individual 9cm nursery pots, these well-established plants are ready to plant straight into vegetable gardens, raised beds or allotments. Simply plant, water thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist while they settle in.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and give them a thorough watering. If you can't plant them immediately, keep them in a cool, sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and drying winds, ensuring the compost remains moist until you're ready to plant.