Sea kale (Crambe), also known as beach cabbage and sea kale, is a rather rare vegetable, but you can also grow it in your garden.
Sea kale (Crambe) is a pretty flowering and useful plant, but it has become rare and is a protected species. The sea kale or coastal sea kale (Crambe maritima) prefers saline soils in the immediate vicinity of the coast. As an undemanding and easy-care plant that can even be eaten, sea kale is also popular in the home garden. There are a few things to consider when growing and harvesting.
Sea Kale - Origin
The wild sea kale (beach kale) is native to the coasts of northern and western Europe. There used to be plenty of sea kale on the North and B altic Seas, which was harvested there and used as animal feed. Sea cabbage has also been found on the Black Sea coast or along the Atlantic coast. Due to its preference for s alty soil in barren coastal regions, sea kale grows almost unrivaled. Nevertheless, the stocks have declined rapidly and the wild plants may no longer be collected on German coasts.
| Sea Kale (Crambe) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | Clump-forming, upright flower stalks |
| Growth: | 30 - 75 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 80 cm |
| Plant Supplies: | 3 to 5 pieces per m², planting distance approx. 55 cm |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, low in humus, rich in nutrients, rich in stones, minerals |
Sea kale in the garden - the ideal location
Although it prefers saline soil, sea kale does not only thrive on the coast. A sunny location should be chosen in the garden.
» Note: Sea kale does not like neighboring plants and prefers to stand alone.
An airy location that is as free as possible allows the cruciferous plant to thrive well away from the North and B altic Seas.
Sea kale - choose the right substrate
A sandy and particularly airy substrate must be found for the sea kale. The undemanding vegetable also grows on stony clay soil. However, these should be regularly worked on and loosened up. At theWhen cultivating the soil, it is beneficial to regularly work in some manure. The old manure can already be applied in autumn and then serves as winter protection. In the spring, the manure is then worked into the soil.
Planting sea kale - step by step
Sea kale can be planted directly, but can also be sown. Seeds can be in sheltered locations directly in the ground in March. However, growing on the windowsill
. is an advantage.
Proceed as follows for sowing:
- Fill pots with potting soil
- Soak the seeds in water for a day
- Push seeds about two centimeters into the soil
- Place the planter bright but not in full sun
- Keep seeds moist
- Wait for germination
» Note: The seeds should be used as quickly as possible and not kept for too long. After storage over the winter, germination is significantly reduced.
Sea kale is planted about 50 cm apart. The young plants tolerate a sunny spot, but should be watered regularly.
In the home garden, sea kale will probably be inferior to its wild representatives by the sea in terms of growth and flowering, but it can develop into a stately plant if cared for in a species-appropriate manner.
Water the sea kale properly
Young plants need water regularly. Less is more, because waterlogging is not tolerated by the plants. After a year, the roots have grown so well that the coastal sea kale provides itself with water. Watering can then be reduced and performed only when needed.
Fertilize sea kale correctly
As already mentioned, manure should be mixed in when processing the soil. This can be repeated annually in spring or autumn. If you want to harvest sea kale regularly, you should consider the increased nutrient requirements of the plant and fertilize regularly with long-term fertilizer.
The most important planting and care tips at a glance
| Occupation | What matters? |
| Select Location | + sun + airy + unique position |
| Prepare the ground | + sandy + loose + deep |
| Planting Sea Kale | + planting distance 30 centimetres + prefer seeds indoors + sunny location |
| Water the sea kale | + water more frequently after planting + water regularly in the first year + avoid waterlogging + water adult plants only sporadically and water after a long period of drought |
| Fertilize sea kale | + incorporate old manure into the soil + use slow-release organic fertilizer |
Different types of sea kale
The genus Crambe includes almost 40 different species. 10 representatives are native to Europe. Only the sea kale native to Europe - coastal multicabbage (Crambe maritima) - and the Hispanic sea kale (Crambe hispanica) from Africa are suitable as useful plants.
Cultivated sea kale has so far been a rarity. However, attempts have already been made in France, North America, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
The following breeds emerged:
- Ivory White
- Lily White
- Ordinary Pink-Tipped
There are no differences in harvest and use here. There are only differences in the foliage color and thus the ornamental value of the individual varieties.
Propagating Sea Kale
Propagation by seed has already been described, but it is not really reliable because older seeds often no longer germinate.
Easier to do is Propagation by root cuttings. The prerequisite for this is that you already have a plant, or know someone who will give you a piece of root.
The root sections can be separated in autumn. The length should be about 10 cm. Over the winter, the root parts are taken to the cellar and stored in damp sand. Within a few weeks, the sections will begin to root. In spring the rooted sections can then be planted outdoors.
Detecting diseases and pests on sea kale
Sea kale is rarely attacked by diseases or pests. However, the leaves are a found food for snails. If the plants are too dense or the wrong water is used, the sea kale will rot quickly.
Bleaching and Harvesting Sea Kale
Visually speaking, sea kale is a plant with very firm and coarse leaves. If you want to harvest and eat sea kale, you have to use a little trick. If the plant is deprived of light, young and tender shootsbe harvested.
Hobby gardeners can start bleaching after the second year. Flower pots or small buckets can be used.
» Tip: For flower pots, the bottom hole must be plugged to prevent light from reaching the plant.
The containers can already be put over the plants in late winter. Without light, the stems grow stronger. The leaves, on the other hand, appear small and delicate. The stems are cut above the base and without injuring the buds. You can cut twice at intervals of four to five weeks. The cover is then removed and the plants continue to grow as usual.
Prepare sea kale
The shoots are not only visually reminiscent of asparagus, they can also be prepared in a similar way. But the leaves are also good for eating. They are steamed and can be served as an accompaniment to fish or meat.
» Note: Sea kale has a short shelf life after harvest. Storage in the refrigerator is possible for a maximum of three days.
Overwinter sea kale
In the fall, sea kale leaves die off and are removed. The plant itself is hardy. A cover of foliage can protect against severe frosts.