Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia
Palm kale
Common names: Black kale, Tuscan kale, Cavolo Nero
Photo: Raffi Kojian · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Palm kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia) does not form a head but produces long stems with dark‑green, fan‑shaped leaves that resemble a small palm. It is extremely winter‑hardy and tastes best after the first frosts, mild, slightly nutty and buttery tender.
Care instructions
Plant after May in humus‑rich soil. Harvest leaves continuously from the bottom up; the plant will keep growing for weeks. Leave it in place through winter, frost sweetens and softens the leaves. Water regularly during dry summers to prevent young leaves from becoming tough.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
loamy, humus-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Heavy feeder
Months
Mar–Aug
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
Companion planting
Good neighbors
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedLeguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.
For example Bush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar peaRed bean and 30 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
carrot family (Apiaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
mint family (Lamiaceae)
You will notice that the intense scent of basil, thyme, and others confuses the cabbage whitefly and keeps it away from the cabbage family.
For example LavenderThymeBasilRosemarySageHyssop and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: bio-gardening intercropping practice
nasturtium family (Tropaeolaceae)
Nasturtium serves as a trap plant for you. Aphids and cabbage whiteflies prefer it over the brassicaceae next to it.
For example Tropaeolum majusMashua
Source: Trap plant practice in organic horticulture
Rather not
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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