Kale Brassica oleracea

Kale and collards are hardy biennials that will overwinter in milder climates, and improve in flavor with the onset of cold weather. Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked or start transplants 4 weeks before planting date. Sow early autumn plantings to avoid late winter frosts. Harvest full size leaves as desired. Start transplants 4 weeks before planting date.

PLANTING INFO:

Ideally, choose an area with full sun and rich, well drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. If the soil is too acidic, add lime. If the soil isn’t already rich, dig in compost or well-rotted manure. As you are growing kale for foliage, high nitrogen content is recommended.

For direct seeding, sow about 1 cm deep and about 30-45 cm apart. Three or four seeds can be planted together and thinned out at the two-leaf stage. If you ensure the soil doesn’t dry out, seeds should germinate in about 5-8 days.

DISEASES & PESTS: Kale and collards are subject to the same insect pests as cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli, but tend to be less preferred. Catepillars and aphids can be controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (such as Dipel DF) are young; use row cover (make sure edges are sealed) repellant molasses and chilli sprays and hand picking griubs are also effective

Varieties

Red Russian
25 days babyleaf, 50 mature leaves Bright purple stems with slate green, deeply lobed foliage. Leaves are tender and smooth compared with other kales Perfect for salad mix or full size leaves. there are many sub-varieties of red russion

Spring Sweet – A selection of the red Russian type that is sweeter in the spring. Oak shaped leaves have less color than others.

Winter Red - A red Russian type developed by Tim Peters of Peters Seed and Research for good uniform color and cold tolerance. A tender salad kale that is said to have a little wild mustard in its sap. Works well in a crop scheme with other kales to supply harvests from early fall – spring. Napini from this variety is a month ahead darker red and thinner than other napus kales. A vigorous Red Russian kale that colors up well even before cold weather, but especially after cool weather. The oak-leaf shaped leaves of this kale are more deeply cut than some other common strains of Red Russian kale. Excellent for salad greens when leaves are thumb size; larger leaves make delicious and nutritious cooked greens. Origin: developed by Tim Peters, Peters Seed and Research, Riddle,

Greenpeace – 32 days. Rare Russian strain, greenish blue plants purple stems, highly variegated leaves. Origin: Greenpeace experimental farm on Denman Island off British Colombia.

White Russian
30 days babyleaf, 60 mature leaves Delicate, sweet flavor that improves in complexity with frost and light cooking. Tolerates wet soils better than any other kale and has the cold hardiness of the
toughest Russian.

Wild Red - 55 days. Variation on red Russian. 2 foot plants. Silver green foliage overlain with bright red on the stems and leaf joints. Extremely hardy and productive.

Western Front – This Red Russian kale mixture has survived a variety of growing conditions that killed all Scotch kales and over 90% of everything Russian or Siberian. Eating Quality is quite good. Up to 50% will regenerate from base of plants for up to 4 or 5 years in wild plantings

Lacinato/Nero Di Toscana/Cavelo Nero
30 days babyleaf, 60 mature leaves Also known as "Dinosaur Kale" due to its bumpy
leaf surface resembling dinosaur skin! This unique variety has the richest, darkest blue-green color of any kale. Deeply savoyed leaves are blade-shaped with smooth margins.

Siberian
30 days, 60 mature leaves Huge, blue-green leaves with white stems and an oak leaf shape. Its superior tenderness makes Siberian one of the best varieties for raw salad use and spring “napini”. Plants are extremely hardy and grow rapidly. Flavor is improved by light frost, but is exceptional anytime.

Scotch Borecole
Intensely curled dark green leaves. Plants to 60 cm.long harvest period. 55-65 days

Gulag Stars – A mix of Russian and Siberian kales from the original Gulag. Contains some completely unique leaf types and incredible colors. Same breat Brassica napus eating quality. Very adaptable and diverse population. Seems to have a bit of B. rapa mustard mixed into its genetic make up. Origin: Bred By Tim Peters at Peters Seed & Research in Riddle, Oregon

VATES BLUE CURLEDVigorous plant to 40cm high with heavily curled, blue-green leaves. Rich in vitamins. Withstands cold weather. Leaves will not yellow from frost or heat. 55 days.

DWARF BLUE CURLED

Heirloom. Heavily curled, light green leaves with bluish tinge & short, white stems. Hardy, low growing plant to 30cm. Pick whilst young for use in salads, or leave to mature for use like cabbage. Mature plants tolerate frost - light frost will improve flavour & sweetness. 50-60 days

Red Bor F1 Tightly frilled leaves of
deep purple and burgundy