Perennial kale cuttings | what to expect | Taunton Deane

A quick video on perennial kale cuttings, how to do it and what to expect if you get them in the post from me. For more videos on perennial kale and it's pros and cons see this video • The pros and cons of p...
After much debate, I’ve finally decided to offer users of my gardening apps, eBook, web site, diary and my youtubers the opportunity to support me via the site Buy Me a Coffee. Thanks so much for all of your support!
www.buymeacoff...
If you have questions, we have a FAQ document and video, which you can find here: steves.seaside...
If you are new to my allotment videos you might find a bit of context useful. We live in the north west of England, in Lytham St Annes, which I believe is the equivalent of USA Zone 8. The garden is about ½ a mile from the sea, the allotment about a mile, it’s fairly mild, but very windy.
A lot of people ask about the databases and apps that I mention in the videos, I make these are freely available, for more check out these blog posts steves.seaside...
We used to have three allotments in my family, mine (Steve), my wife's (Debbie) and my middle daughter's (Jennie) and you will see these featured in many videos. We’ve recently handed Jennie’s back to the council as over the years we now grow more on the other two plots than we did on all three a few years ago. We also have a small kitchen garden at home.
All of the plots are managed in an integrated fashion, so don't expect to see the usual mix of veg on each plot. I do most of the planning and seed starting. We each have our own plots, but we all help each other out.
Debbie's plot is mostly full of perennials, it's an ornamental plot. We did a lot of work to keep the weeds down and Debbie's approach is inspired by the TV programme The Ornamental Kitchen garden.
My plot is all about experimental growing, maximum productivity and year round abundance. As with all of the other plots I did a lot of work to control the weeds, but it's a high maintenance plot. I'm always planting, harvesting, experimenting and generally having a great time.
Collectively the plots deliver an amazing abundance of fruit and veg all year round. Debbie, Jennie, Jon and I are effectively self sufficient in veg all year round and in fruit for much of the year. During winter we sometimes have enough surplus to feed our local family. During the rest of the year when the surplus from our house garden comes on stream we have surpluses in some crops for quite a few friends as well.
This video provides an overview: • The big picture of our...
I do an update of the allotments, roughly twice a month, you can find the tours here:
• Full allotment tour as...
Our approach to allotment life is to: grow as much as we possibly can, to be self-sufficient in veg all year round and in fruit in season, to give away our surplus to friends and family, and to have as much fun as possible. For more on self sufficiency check out these videos:
• Super quick update on ...
We are not slaves to gardening though, I spend about 12 hours a week on the plots (on average) Debbie and Jennie a lot less. We keep nudging that down as we eliminate non-productive work: like grass cutting, weeding and watering as much as practical. We are newbie gardeners, only starting the allotments in 2016.
I'm a bit obsessive about the nutrient density of the veg that we grow and making the plots easy to work because it's through this allotment lifestyle and food that I've overcome a debilitating auto-immune disease.
I'm always aware though that it might not last so I make sure that I don't work too hard, eat as much organic fruit and veg I can and design the plots so that I can still work them when I flare up.

[@Carlucet65]

Thank you for the cuttings Steve and for the informative video. I am so happy to support your brilliant channel that is bringing the joy of gardening to so many. You certainly do help keep life in balance during these troubled times.

[@SteveRichards]

You are very welcome Helen : All the best - Steve

[@susiewilde6077]

My cuttings have a arrived in excellent condition just a day after you posted them. I’m so pleased with them and excited to see how they progress from now. I very happily support your channel with the £2 a month membership fee as you generousily go above and beyond for your viewers. So these cuttings are an added bonus! Thank you Steve!

[@summer3100]

Perennial kale cuttings purchased by post are a lost cause. they die off. In future will only buy a well established plant.

[@cek7940]

That's very very kind of you Steve, well done sir, you lightened my heart ❤️ I'm in Ohio usa and just got perennial tree kale seeds from France, I potted them up and 6 germinated, yippee! I shared with my mail lady, she saw me get excited over my mail and asked what was it, I love sharing too! Blessings to you and your garden, Angela

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks Angela, giving is certainly it's own reward : All the best - Steve

[@SecrePeach]

How strange Steve, your video popped up literally as the postman arrived with the cutting. Thank you so much 😊🙏🏼👍🏼

[@janwilletts1986]

Brilliant, I have always done much smaller cuttings with limited success as they get overtaken by aphids, will definitely try these bigger stems this year,my original plant has fallen on its side and rooted, taking over a whole raised bed. I will have to cut it up with a saw....

[@SteveRichards]

A saw is essential Jan! : All the best - Steve

[@TheEnglishladyskitchengarden]

My postman has just dropped mine off. Thank you Steve it really is very kind of you.

[@bernadettekerbey9117]

Wow! I bought 6 daubenton cuttings from eBay in December - they took 2 weeks to arrive here from Brittany and were literally the tips wrapped in one piece of kitchen roll and posted in the smallest envelope in the world! I’m very pleased that I managed to get 2 of them to develop into plants as they were totally dried up. I found one of them covered in cabbage aphid eggs a couple of weeks ago so am trying to nurse it back to health!

[@Jill.Carter.]

I have four Taunton Deane kales, they're all in their second year and all have decided to flower. After seeing this video I've decided to try and take some cuttings as you've shown us and hopefully I'll end up with a few more plants 😊. The chickens go absolutely crazy for the leaves so I definitely need more to share with them!

[@SteveRichards]

Although some famous gardeners claim TD don’t flower, they certainly do and the seeds are viable. I’m growing three new plants from saved seeds : all the best - Steve

[@Jill.Carter.]

@@SteveRichards I admit I tried to eat the flower buds like broccoli but there was so many of them a lot is going to end up in full flower, it will be food for the pollinators anyway!

[@myrustygarden]

Your a very nice person and so kind to give back to others as I always say gardeners are the nicest people 🇨🇦✌️🐝 safe 🧑‍🌾🥕🌶💐👍

[@SteveRichards]

Just keeping life in balance Ali : All the best - Steve

[@patricialynch3200]

Thanks Steve. All potted up. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@susanc.2096]

You are amazing 👏 we'll in turn eventually share with others 👍 thank you 😊

[@christinefarrow5188]

Thank you very much, they have just arrived

[@NoDigNorm]

Hey Steve, really great of you to do this for your members. I got my Taunton Dean and Dauberton cuttings last year through the post. They came similarly wrapped but each one had a cut up pop bottle completely surrounding it which totally protected it from transit damage.

[@g.y.o5419]

Just watched the video and then post came :D Thanks Steve, I really appreciate these. I will be potting them up now . Regards A.W.

[@harrym2523]

Hey Steve, always look forward to your videos. Great education and inspiration!

[@SteveRichards]

Thanks Harry! : all the best - Steve

[@fionamcwilliams6922]

Arrived today...many thanks Steve

[@SuperSatisfyingVids.]

I've just bought some.off eBay they look fantastic glad I've purchased some thank you for information it will be helpful for me .

[@noeldavies9368]

Thanks Steve, very kind of you. Off to plant my cuttings right now.

[@prycless2scott]

Steve you are a good man! Last year I bought one on eBay (about the size of the ones you are sending out) for £15 🙈I'm crazy I know. It grew so fast and I already have several little plants that I rooted. Really appreciate your channel I learn so much from you. 💕

[@SteveRichards]

They are certainly expensive to buy, but worth it : All the best - Steve

[@michaelgallacher378]

Thanks...off to plant cuttings now!

[@bertibear1300]

Agree tastes very good

[@TheEssexAllotment]

Inspiring as always Steve... I’ve just popped out and taken 40 cuttings off my ‘mother plant’ ✌️

[@SteveRichards]

What are you doing with yours Alex?

[@TheEssexAllotment]

@@SteveRichards giving some away - moving some to the farm ✌️

[@SteveRichards]

Great crop for May and June

[@tacodermist4555]

wonderful act of kindness, will be doing something similar here in northwestern canada :)

[@SteveRichards]

It's a great way to spread the joy of gardening : All the best - Steve

[@Carlucet65]

I think the one person giving this video a thumbs down must have been standing on their head and got it upside down! Can’t think of any other logical explanation 🤨😖🪴

[@SteveRichards]

There's always someone, who knows what motivates them, makes me feel a bit sorry for them : All the best - Steve

[@KanyiriGrows]

Love your kale..just joined your family. Wish I could get some of it😊

[@SteveRichards]

I'm only giving them away to members of my channel via www.buymeacoffee.com/steverichards membership is free if you can't afford it, otherwise try eBay : All the best - Steve

[@KanyiriGrows]

@@SteveRichards thanks for reply .I will join Membership because I like your channel that much.😊

[@SteveRichards]

just email me your address : All the best - Steve

[@dannyrose9387]

Good video Steve, when would you say is the best time of year to take the cuttings?

[@SteveRichards]

Spring and autumn are best, but they work in summer too : All the best - Steve

[@dannyrose9387]

Thanks Steve

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

👍👍👍

[@johngoldthorpe1056]

Thks Steve. Can you grow them in large container's once took Thks John.

[@SteveRichards]

Hi John, watch the video again, you will see one in a large container, doing great : All the best - Steve

[@johngoldthorpe1056]

Thks John

[@hilshils3426]

What is the main difference between Taunton Deane and Daubenton kale? I bought one cutting of each last year, and one is tall, looks very like yours at the beginning of the video, the other has smaller leaves, and multiple stems. Not sure which is which. They are a delicious and easy vegetable.

[@SteveRichards]

The tall one is Taunton Deane

[@susiewilde6077]

Just realised I have a question. How deep should I plant them Steve?

[@SteveRichards]

Up to the leaves Susie : All the best - Steve

[@alanharwood4843]

What are the empty coke cans for?

[@SteveRichards]

Keeps the birds and cats off : All the best - Steve

[@Skankovic]

Hi Steve Great video. I have one of these and it keeps getting hammered by the birds. I’ve had to build a barrier to stop them sitting on the plant and damaging it. How do you stop local birds feeding and damaging yours?

[@SteveRichards]

I have one plant that I leave to grow really tall and they are allowed to eat that one, I find if I do that they leave most of the other brassicas alone : All the best - Steve

[@climbinghigh100]

Hi Steve, have you got any more Taunton Deane cuttings at the moment? Thanks, James

[@SteveRichards]

If you are a member of my channel on buymeacoffee I can send you some, otherwise I don’t send them out I’m afraid

[@climbinghigh100]

@@SteveRichards I'd not heard of that. I've had a look at the site - amazing! How do I find you on there?

[@climbinghigh100]

I've found you!

[@hightrees2592]

Hi Steve thanks for the video I am growing kale in 35 / 45 ltr black pots what I find is it is bolting going to seed any idea what could be causing this. Too much feed well rotted manure? They are about 5ft tall.. Thanks Emmet.

[@SteveRichards]

Assuming that they are Taunton Deane perennial kale Emmet, then they do sometimes go to seed, but they are still perennial, just cut off the flowers (or leave them for the pollinators) and the plant will carry on growing just fine. My plants often flower and even make viable seed. I think there are some strains that go to seed less than others, but so far it's not caused me any issues : All the best - Steve

[@MH-gc2hr]

Hoe often do you water the cuttings? I just potted some Taunton Deane ones and have them inside but I'm a bit out of my depth.

[@SteveRichards]

They will root better in mid-March than now as there's not much energy in the sun at this time of year, but just keep the compost moist, not too wet as that will probably rot them. It's always hard to answer precisely "how much to water" questions as it depends on the size of the container, the type of compost, the time of year, the location, how sunny/warm it is etc.

[@milesrobinson3462]

Hi Steve Do you still send out cuttings to your supporters?

[@SteveRichards]

I do, but all of my plants were killed in that deep freeze 2 years ago and all the others I’d given away on the site. I’ve managed to keep one cutting alive and it’s growing well but this spring it’s been ravaged by pigeons, so it will be autumn until I have cuttings

[@KJV7154]

I live in the US if shipped from overseas would they make it?

[@SteveRichards]

Probably not

[@deanwatt]

These cuttings sell for over 15 quid on eBay! you could make a fortune!