Kale 'Black'

Grow kale in firm, rich fertile, well drained soil in sun or semi shade. Prepare the soil in early spring by adding plenty of well rotted farmyard manure to the soil to improve its structure and fertility. Apply lime to acid soils to reduce the acidity and lessen the risk of clubroot. When transplanting kale, plant it slightly deeper in the ground than it was in the tray provided. Plant kale at a distance of 60cm (24”) apart and cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. Water the plants thoroughly after planting.

Kale is exceptionally hardy and requires little aftercare. Water when necessary and hoe between plants regularly to prevent weeds from establishing and bring insect larvae to the surface. Kale can be harvested from September as young leaves using a cut and come again method, but will stand well in the ground for a long time throughout winter, and improves in flavour after it has been frosted. Pinch out the centre stem first to encourage side shoots to develop. Harvest kale when it is required as the leaves do not store well, unless they are frozen.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.

Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.

Van Meuwen strives to ensure that all its plants are delivered to you in the perfect condition for planting. While the majority of our nursery plants cope well with slight delays in intransit, sadly, the time it takes to deliver to certain locations in the UK means that we can't guarantee this for some of our smaller plug products and tender bedding and vegetable lines, which do not respond well to the extra journey time. So regretfully while we offer the majority of our live plant offering nationwide, we are unable to ship plugs, begging plants and tender vegetable plants to the following areas: HS, IV41-IV49, IV51, IV55-56, KW15-KW17, PA34, PA41-48, PA60-PA78, PA80, PH40-PH44, TR21-TR24, ZE1-ZE3.