Anyone grown cavolo nero?

[hamster]

I love cavolo nero and would love to try growing some this year. As space is limited, do you think it would be all right if I sowed it in biggish pots in May or so and transplanted it either into bigger containers or the ground later in the year, after I've harvested other things?

[Millymollymandy]

I have seeds and am going to grow them for the first time this year. I just assumed I'd sow them and grow them just like curly kale. I don't sow the kale until about July/August in pots then transplant into the veg patch in about September. That way they miss the flea beetle problem.

[godfreyrob]

I grew some last year but although it grew really well we did not enjoy it. It was too tough for us - certainly it did not go tender steaming it.

[Peggy Sue]

So enlighten me-- what is it?

[godfreyrob]

Its a kind of Kale with dark blue/green leaves. They are spear shaped:

[Peggy Sue]

Looks nice!

[Cheezy]

I'm growing for the first time too. It's a "cut and come again" autumn through winter veg, so I'm really hopeful it'll do us in that bleak Feb/March period....But I'm a little disconcerted about the tough Kale reference since I can not get the OH to eat kale!.

The Italians love it and most of the homely winter soups have it in.

3M, my packet told me to sow about 3 weeks ago and I have lots of nice little seedlings waiting for the warm weather!

[marshlander]

3M, my packet told me to sow about 3 weeks ago and I have lots of nice little seedlings waiting for the warm weather!

Yes, did ours in mudules, waiting to be a bit bigger before i put them out. They look fantastic interplanted with pot marolds.

Also tasty in Italian style veggie stews with toms, beans etc.

[theabsinthefairy]

I think they get tough if you leave the leaves too late before cutting. I admit only really growing curly kale, but found if you leave the leaves too late they can get a bit tough, so I give those to the rabbits, and we have the tasty younger leaves. Great steamed then served with some fried bacon bits and onions and garlic oil.

[Millymollymandy]

My packet (T&M) says sow March to June for mature plants, or March to August for salad leaves.

[ina]

My packet (T&M) says sow March to June for mature plants, or March to August for salad leaves.

I think in your climate you can get away with starting them off much later than in the UK.

[Millymollymandy]

Possibly that's right Ina, but it's only a few degrees warmer (generally) than southern England. So far this year I think it's been a few degrees colder though!