Thousandhead Kale (Brassica oleracea var. ramosa)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early April to late May
- Site
- 2+ hours of sun, soil pH 5.5–7.5
- Biggest risk
- Club root
In the UK, thousandhead kales go in the ground early April to late May.
Thousandhead kales (Brassica oleracea var. ramosa) — perennial.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: sowing early April, and that same window applies across all 4 regions covered here.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
Quick Facts
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Diseases
Pests
Thousandhead Kale, a Vigorous Multi-Branching Perennial
References
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A secondary gardening reference rather than a university or horticultural authority, used as the sole source for this heirloom forage/fodder kale as no RHS or equivalent authority growing profile exists for it, explicitly disclosed. An heirloom, large, vigorous perennial kale with leaves growing up to 50cm or even a metre long and over 30cm wide, resembling "elephant's ears" -- known as thousand-headed for its multi-branching habit, producing more leaves and sweet flower stalks (similar to broccolini) than other kales, despite the leaf size remaining tender. Very easy to grow, tolerant of poorer soil conditions than other brassicas, rarely troubled by pests or diseases. Historically grown as winter fodder for sheep in harsh UK and Northern European climates, distinct from the tall Marrow-Stem type traditionally grown for dairy cattle in autumn. Documented in "The Vegetable Garden" (1885), originally from the UK, potentially with French Atlantic coast origins.
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Habitat: not found wild, a cultivated form of B. oleracea; parent species native to coastal UK/Germany/Spain/France. Hardiness: very hardy, tolerates temperatures down to about -15C, tolerates quite poor conditions and high summer temperatures. Soil: light/sandy, medium/loamy or heavy/clay, prefers well-drained, pH 4.2-8.3 (prefers slightly alkaline), prefers a heavy soil. Sun: shade tolerant, grows well on a north border, succeeds in semi-shade/light woodland or no shade. Moisture: prefers moist soil, tolerates maritime exposure. Size: biennial/perennial to 0.9m, hermaphrodite, flowers May-August, seed ripens July-September. Propagation: sow in a seedbed outdoors in April/May; perennial forms can be increased by cuttings taken at almost any time, rooting very quickly and easily. Edible use: leaves raw or cooked, strong cabbage flavour, best used young; young flowering shoots raw or cooked, fairly tender, used in mixed salads or with a flavour similar to sprouting broccoli. Medicinal/hazards: none known. Pests: kale plants generally less likely to be eaten by pigeons than other members of this genus.
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow thousandhead kales in the UK?
In Southern England, from early April. In Scotland, wait until early April. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow thousandhead kales?
Sow early April to late May.
What soil pH do thousandhead kales need?
A pH of about 5.5–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect thousandhead kales?
Our data links 1 disease and 2 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-09-05
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.