Advent Calendar Perennial vegetables for your garden

Day 1 Taunton Deane kale

Perennial kale is probably the perennial vegetable, that aside from rhubarb and asparagus, most veg growers are familiar with, and often it’s their first step into growing perennial veg. I came across Taunton Deane kale (Brassica oleracea Acephala), a traditional West Country perennial, fifteen years ago, growing in the walled kitchen garden of NT Knightshayes Court in Devon. Planted in a sheltered spot against a wall, it had grown several metres tall - an impressive specimen as you can see from the photo.

Taunton Deane kale is also referred to as cottager’s kale. It’s believed to be a cross between Brussels sprout, kale and possibly a sprouting broccoli. And its existence was even mentioned by Darwin in the Gardeners’ Chronicle of 1860, so its been around a while!

Taunton Deane kale is a hardy, short lived perennial – mine survive four or five years before they become rather woody and die back. I find this kale to be a tolerant and adaptable plant, having grown it in both full sun and shade, and while it can cope with some heat, it tends to be vulnerable to extreme cold. They do best in a rich, moist, well-drained soil with good mulch.  I don’t bother to protect my plants from caterpillars, so they can look rather threadbare in summer, but the leaves soon grow back and by autumn they are back to their best, providing me with leaves all through winter and into spring.

These kales rarely produce seed, so you need to take cuttings and this is easily done by simply snapping off a shoot and popping it in a pot of sand / leaf mould mix and waiting for it to root. You will soon learn that one plant is never enough and you will also need a supply of plants for your friends.

While Taunton Deane kale is grown widely in UK and Europe, it’s still quite rare in the USA. Its recommended for USDA zones 7-10 where winters are not too harsh and soil and drainage conditions are reasonable.  Its available as cuttings via specialist suppliers.