Want to know how to plant kale in a polytunnel in the UK? Kale is a cold-loving plant that’s best grown in colder areas like the UK. The cool weather plays a part in growing healthy and delicious kale as it brings out the nutty flavour and the sweetness of your leafy greens.
The Best Time to Plant Kale in the UK
The key to growing delicious fruits and vegetables is knowing the best time to plant them. Taking note of the first and last frost dates will let you know when to start planting your kale. The United Kingdom located in the 5 and 6 USDA plant hardiness zone. Here’s the best time to plant kale in the UK:
Zone 5
Start kale seeds indoors in early April and harvest by the end of June; OR start kale seeds mid-July and harvest by the end of October.
Zone 6
Start kale seeds indoors mid-March and harvest by mid-June; OR start kale seeds indoors early August and harvest by mid-November.
How to Plant Kale in the UK
Planting kale in the UK doesn’t have to be complicated. To give you a clear snapshot of how to do it, check out this guide:
Sowing kale seeds or setting plants
Sow the seeds half an inch into light, airy, well-drained soil. Once it grows into seedlings (usually after two weeks), thin the seedlings, so your plants are at least eight inches apart.
As most people do, if you’re starting with plants, plant them into your British garden at a depth similar to how they’re growing in their pots. Space them at least 18 inches apart. After planting your seeds or plants, make sure to water them well.
Growing kale
Water and feed your kale plants regularly with continuous-release plant food. If it doesn’t rain much in your UK area, provide an inch or an inch and a half of water per week.
Keep in mind that kale won’t grow well in hot weather, so make sure to mulch the soil. Mulching also helps in preventing weeds from forming. After the first hard freeze, don’t forget to mulch the soil again. Your kale plants may continue to produce leaves even after winter.
Harvesting kale
Kale will be ready for harvesting if the leaves are as big as the size of your hand. Pick a handful of kale leaves per harvest and start by getting the oldest leaves located at the lowest part of the plant. Throw away torn and yellowed leaves.
Don’t pick the terminal bud located at the top centre of your kale plant because this part keeps your kale productive. Kale plants continue to grow even when temperatures drop to 20 degrees F, and it’ll taste sweeter if hit by frost. If you want to extend your growing season or harvest, protect your plants from the cold by placing them inside a mini greenhouse.
Storing kale
Storing kale is similar to storing other leafy greens. You can place kale in a produce bag (but don’t stuff them inside!) and store it in the fridge. Consume within a week before it starts to wilt.
Reasons Why It’s Best to Grow Kale in a Mini Greenhouse
If you’re initially planning to plant your kale directly in your UK garden, think again. Since you can control the temperature inside a greenhouse, growing kale in a mini polytunnel lets you enjoy kale throughout the year, even if the weather is hot outside!
Aside from that, here are other reasons why you should grow kale in a greenhouse:
Protect your plants from harmful pests
Cabbageworms, cabbage aphids, flea beetles, rodents, raccoons, and other insects and animals love to eat your kale. Keeping them inside a polytunnel protects them from these annoying critters. It also shields them from any infectious diseases from neighbouring plants.
Keep them safe from unpredictable weather conditions
Excessive heat, heavy rains, storms, and strong winds can easily damage your plants. Placing them inside a polytunnel makes it easier to grow kale and other vegetables in unpredictable weather conditions, like the UK residents, experience severe fluctuations in temperature, along with random arrival of rain and other weather conditions, so having a polytunnel comes in handy.
Perfect for UK gardeners with limited space
Kale needs space to grow, so you can consider getting a mini greenhouse if you don’t have enough space. The standard size of a “small” polytunnel is around 6 feet, but there are smaller alternatives. You can place a mini polytunnel on balconies, patios, decks, and even on tabletops. Even if it’s smaller in size, you’ll enjoy the same benefits as a regular-sized greenhouse.
Ideal for beginners in polytunnel technology
Mini greenhouses are ideal for gardeners in the UK who want to learn more about polytunnel gardening. Investing in a larger, more permanent polytunnel is expensive. It’s best to know how a polytunnel works and how well plants thrive inside before upgrading to a large greenhouse. A mini polytunnel allows you to do all that without at a lower price.
Final Thoughts on How to Plant Kale in a Polytunnel in the UK
Now that you know how to plant kale in a polytunnel in the UK, the next thing you need to do is to get started. Growing kale is more accessible in a mini greenhouse, so make sure to consider getting one for your gardening needs.