h-member-login

MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER  header call 
Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

Archives

Gardening with Gael - Planting kale, it's not too late


Kale 1-888Our vegetable garden is usually planted and maintained by Box. This year he is too busy building and I have decided that it is up to me to plant some vegetables that we need every day. Looking at the price of cauliflowers and lettuce I wish I had started a little earlier!

I usually grow the basic herbs and leafy greens just outside the kitchen where I can see them every day. This makes it easy for picking and pulling the weeds before they take hold.

I have never been a fan of kale. I have tried to make, as recommended by kale aficionados, kale ‘chips’ in the oven. Hmmm. Box has never grown it. In fact the mere mention of it makes him shudder. Then, one morning, I had the ‘wilted greens’ at Bennett’s Cafe. Delicious. I was an immediate convert.

“What’s in that?” I asked Brodie, the chef.
 
“Kale, cavolo nero and spinach,” he said. “Lightly cooked in olive oil and lemon.”

I should give that a try, I thought to myself. I know Rowie always has vegetable seedlings at the market and so I bought crinkly kale and some brassicas.

Kale 2-685If I had planted earlier they would be ready now. Because they can grow from a wide range of germination temperatures kale is quite hardy and can be planted in the winter. I did plant some once and I watched as they turned into attractive little curly leafed trees. It’s not too late. 
A recommendation from Google said that planting kale where you have recently planted beans is a good idea. Kale loves nitrogen and beans fix nitrogen, which means they leave the soil ready for the kale. I have a spot with some recently rotted horse manure, which should be ideal. 
Because they are so appealing there is no reason why they can’t range outside the vegetable patch and complement the flower garden. If they are towards the back of the border the flowers hide the stalks as they grow. The stems differ in height with different varieties and they vary in colour as well, from light green, dark green and to a slightly purplish tinge.

Cavolo nero is another type of kale which, with its attractive long bumpy leaves, could also range into the rest of the garden. Also known as Tuscan cabbage, Tuscan kale or black cabbage is another vegetable that does not produce a ‘head’ and leaves can picked when they are needed which gives them a longer life in the garden. I have tried cavolo nero mixed into potato croquettes. It is surprising how versatile these vegetables can be, not just as the delicious lemony wilted greens.

Right next to Rowie is a stand selling herb plants. There, available in newspaper pots, I spotted some coriander. I have found coriander – or referred to in some recipes as cilantro or Chinese parsley – can be quite tricky to grow. When I have bought some ready grown coriander from the grocery shop I plant the little bush once I have used most of the leaves. Very occasionally they grow. Mostly they bolt to seed or fail to thrive. Apparently they really don’t like their roots disturbed. The newspaper pots, which can be planted directly into the soil, are just the right thing for them.

Regular rain, the addition of compost and some mild days are all winter vegetables require.


The ‘Wilted Greens’ from Bennett’s Cafe – kale, cavolo nero and spinach. From this (left) to this (right).
ABOUT US
  CHECK IT OUT
The Mangawhai Focus is the only 'Mangawhai' community Newspaper and is the paper of choice within the local area.

For more information on distribution and circulation please 
click here
 

Directory

Archives

Contact Us


 

 

 

FOLLOW US

facebook   twitter   174855-378

CONTACT US


Sales: 021 454814
  sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Editorial: 027 4641673
  news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Office: 021 678357
  info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz