Taunton Deane Perennial Kale – Growing Guide
Taunton Deane Perennial Kale
A rare perennial vegetable that can feed you for years
Taunton Deane is a giant perennial kale, growing up to around 2.5m high and wide if allowed. Its beautiful purple-tinged leaves make it a striking addition to the garden, as well as a remarkably productive edible plant.
Unlike annual kales, there's no need to sow it again every year. A plant will typically remain productive for around 4–5 years and can live considerably longer. The large leaves are tender, without the bitterness of some curly kales, and can be harvested throughout much of the year.
Your cutting has arrived — what now?
1. Give it a drink
Place your cutting in cold water overnight. Don't worry if it has wilted — this is completely normal, particularly if it has traveled through the post. It should perk up after soaking, although it may wilt again after planting.
2. Pot it up
Push the cutting firmly and deeply into compost. We recommend a pot of at least 9cm. Water it thoroughly.
3. Keep it moist
This is especially important while your cutting develops roots. Don't allow the compost to dry out, but avoid leaving it permanently waterlogged.
4. Be patient
Your cutting should develop a good root network over roughly four weeks. New growth is a good sign that things are happening below the surface too.
It might not look like much yet — but give it a few weeks!
Starting your cutting in autumn or winter
If you're starting your cutting between October and February, we recommend giving it some protection while it establishes.
Keep the pot in a greenhouse, polytunnel, cold frame, or on a cool, light windowsill while it develops its roots. Once well rooted, gradually harden it off before planting outside. Grow Guide Taunton Dean Kale Cu…
Planting out
Once your kale has established a good root system, it's ready for its permanent home.
Taunton Deane can eventually become a very large plant — up to around 2.5m high and wide — so give it plenty of room. It can also be pruned regularly if you'd prefer to keep it smaller.
Give it room to grow — these little plants can eventually become enormous!
Looking after your Taunton Deane kale
Once established, Taunton Deane is a robust and productive plant. Keep it watered during prolonged dry spells and harvest regularly to encourage fresh growth.
Because plants can become very large, you can prune them to control their size. In an exposed position, a substantial plant may also benefit from support.
Watch out for hungry visitors!
Like other brassicas, young Taunton Deane plants are particularly attractive to pigeons and cabbage-white butterflies. Keep an eye on your plant while it's establishing and protect it if necessary.
Harvesting & eating
Pick leaves as you need them. The large leaves are tender and don't have the bitterness associated with some curly kales, making Taunton Deane a useful perennial alternative to ordinary kale or spring greens.
Our favourite way to eat it? We slice the leaves and steam them, then serve simply with a little butter and black pepper.
Keep your kale going for years
Taunton Deane is normally propagated from cuttings rather than seed, which means once you have a thriving plant you can make new plants from it.
Take healthy side shoots, remove some of the lower leaves and root them just as your original cutting was rooted. It's a lovely way to keep younger replacement plants coming along — or to share Taunton Deane with other growers.
Grown at Moonbrook View
Your Taunton Deane kale was grown here in West Wales without chemical fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. We're managing our land to regenerate the soil, increase carbon stores and grow food in ways that work with the land rather than against it.
We hope your little cutting thrives — and feeds you for years to come.
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