Couve Tronchuda (Perennial Kale)
Couve Tronchuda (Portugeese Cabbage or Perennial Kale) is a lovely kale-like plant, originating in Portugal. Grows to 60cm or more across, with closely set leaves with thick, white, fleshy ribs forming a loose kind of head. The leaves and head are very tender to eat, sweeter and more like cabbage than kale in my opinion. Frosts help improve the flavour.
Traditionally used in Portuguese sopas or sopash which is a stew with meat, vegetables, and spices. Use leaves as you would collards, kales and mustards.
Not at its best over summer and benefits from netting (or spray with Dipel to manage white butterfly) and provide plenty of water. Thus many grow as an annual, but can be grown as a perennial.
When to Sow
Cool Climate: SEPT* – OCT, JAN – MAR
Temperate: ALL YEAR
Sub – Tropical: ALL YEAR
Tropical: MAR – OCT
Arid: mid MAR – MAY, AUG – NOV
*earliest sowing 4 weeks before last frost
Spacing – 80cm, 1m between rows.
When plants reach 30cm tall, start harvesting the outer leaves, leaving 3 inner layers to support further growth or harvest entire mature plant.
Germination: Optimal Soil temperature is 20 to 24 C (around 5-10 days to germination)
