Most brassicas and many other winter vegetable are too big to be grown in containers, but kale and chard are perfect for pots.
Grown alongside oriental leaves such as pak choi, which thrives in similarly shady conditions, it will provide leafy pickings all winter long. Asparagus peas, covered in delightful brick-red flowers, add colour and the pods can be harvested young and sliced finely into salads.
Looking for more winter veg? Find out what to plant in August.
Follow the advice in this step by step guide to get a kale, pak choi and asparagus pea pot.
You Will Need
- Kale 'Cavolo Nero' (3)
- Pak choi 'Purple' seeds
- Asparagus pea (8)
- Large container
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Step 1
If you’re using a metal container, remember that they can heat up quickly so are best placed out of direct sun. Make drainage holes before filling with compost.
Step 2
Plant two or three kale plug plants direct into the compost about 15cm apart in the centre of the pot.
Step 3
Sow pak choi direct, keeping the compost damp. Finally edge with the asparagus peas, sown 10cm apart.
Preparing kale
If preparing kale in water, save the cooking water, which is full of vitamins, minerals and flavour, and use it to make nutritious soups or gravy.
