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walking-stick-kale-kahikatea-farm-2.5-metres-tall
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walking-sticks-kale-cabbage

Certified Organic Plant

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Walking Stick Kale

Price range: $12.50 through $16.00

Brassica oleracea var acephala

Crazy but true – this plant gives you edible leaves for several years and then a stalk which you can varnish and turn into a walking stick!

Also known as Jersey Cabbage, this heirloom variety hails from the Channel Islands and has been selected since at least the early 1800s (and probably long before that) to have an extra long stem.

This kale grows to a height of over 2 metres – this photo of Gigs who is 6’3” tall plus 9 year old Eliza on his shoulders will give you some idea of the height of this 18 month old plant! A fun plant for the kids to grow.

Read more and check out some amazing pictures in this article

Available in 9cm or 11cm pot.

Main photos and potted plant – Kahikatea Farm

Photo of walking sticks: commons.wikimedia.com

Cultivation

Walking Stick Kale grows like regular kale – in full sun in fertile soil – but if you want to harvest the stalks it’s best to keep stripping the leaves regularly to keep the stalks straight, and they will also need staking in windy spots.

Uses

Use young soft leaves as you would any other kale. Leaves were previously also used as a protective wrap for cheese and butter! Tougher leaves can be fed to rabbits, cows or sheep (in fact according to the 1835 edition of the Gardener’s Dictionary, 60 plants will feed one cow for a whole year!).

Walking Stick Kale was once grown in every Jersey garden, and also formed part of a thriving cottage industry. At  the end of the 20th century 30,000 walking sticks were produced there every year. Now there is only one small scale producer left. Producing the sticks is not for the impatient – the stalks must be dried for up to 2 years then sanded and varnished. They can also be used for fencing or even roof rafters for small buildings!

Medicinal Uses

History / Folklore / Further Info

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details. 

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Full list of shipping rates HERE

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have. 

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