True Siberian Kale

Brassica napus

A highly productive, cold hardy, green curly B. napus kale that we are further selecting for the ability to successfully overwinter in zone 4 and 5 for broccoli shoot production in the spring. This selection will allow the plant to offer you two crops when you need them most: leafy greens in late fall and tender shoots in early spring! But for now, enjoy these tender ruffly deep dark green leaves as the chill of winter creeps in!

Growing Instructions:

Sow indoors from early to mid spring and transplant out mid to late spring or direct sow mid spring.

Space plants 10" apart.

Space rows 18" apart.

Kale does better than other brassicas with less than adequate soil but it is best to treat it well. Add compost at time of planting. We also recommend a fall cover crop of peas or another annual legume to fix nitrogen for the upcoming spring planting.

Mulch with leaves, or whatever you have available, to hold moisture and suppress weeds. Make sure soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. If plants need a growing boost, water with nitrogen tea or compost tea a few times. If trace minerals are inadequate, sprinkle a small amount of woodash or azomite in each planting hole.

Harvest Instructions:

Kale will produce all season long— right up until its too cold and dark to grow. Leaves get huge but stay tender! A delight!