Kale in January: monthly care

Kale has moderate water needs and dislikes both drought and waterlogged conditions. Water regularly during dry spells, especially from June to August when plants are establishing. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated—a good soak once or twice a week is better than daily dribbles. In autumn and winter, rainfall usually provides enough moisture, but check during dry periods and water if the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Feed kale in June and July with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser or a nitrogen-rich feed to support strong leafy growth. Scatter granular fertiliser around the base of each plant according to packet instructions, then water in well. Avoid feeding later in the season, as this can produce soft growth vulnerable to frost damage—ironic, since kale is famously hardy. Kale is tough and survives hard frosts down to zone 6a without protection; in fact, frost improves the flavour by converting starches to sugars. No special overwintering measures are needed in temperate Europe. Mulch around plants in autumn with compost or well-rotted manure to suppress weeds and feed the soil for next year. Watch for cabbage white caterpillars from May onwards—check the undersides of leaves weekly and squash any eggs or caterpillars by hand. Aphids, particularly mealy cabbage aphid, cluster on growing tips in summer; blast them off with water or use an insecticidal soap. Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease affecting brassicas; prevent it by rotating crops and liming acid soils to raise pH above 7. Pigeons are relentless—keep netting in place all season.