$3.25 $1.62
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Sow True Seed – Asheville, NC
The Italian darling of gourmands the world over! Also popular with kids for its nickname: Dinosaur Kale. Dark green, deeply savoyed leaves conjure images of prehistoric flora. Unparalleled flavor and texture, especially after frost.
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How to Grow:
Although growing times vary between varieties, most kale is ready for harvest between 45 and 75 days after transplanting.
You will need at least six square inches of growing space per plant regardless of your container type. Choose an area with full sunshine if you’re planting during the fall, and an area with partial shade if you’re planting in the spring. Avoid low-lying areas and spaces where water tends to collect and/or flood.
Make sure that you plant your kale in fertile, loamy soil, amended with nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium if it is low in these nutrients. Sandy or clay-like soil will hurt the kale’s flavor and production ability. Kale prefers soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.
If you’re starting your seeds or starts indoors, plant them between five and seven weeks before the last frost. If you’re going to start your kale outside, plant the seeds two to four weeks before the last frost or at least 10 weeks before the first frost in the fall.
Kale seeds are small and should only be planted ¼ to ½ inch deep. Space the seeds about three inches apart, and thin to 6-9 inches as your plants mature.
When your seedlings are about 4 inches high, you should start hardening off for planting in the garden. At this point, your kale seedlings should have at least four developed leaves. It takes four to six weeks for your seedlings to reach this stage.
Spread a thin layer of fertilizer evenly over the growing area. Follow the directions for your specific type of fertilizer for precise amounts. For compost and mulch, spread a layer a few inches deep. For seaweed powder or rock dust, apply a thin, even sprinkle. Kale responds well to fish emulsion and compost tea.
Depending on the amount of sun your plants receive, you may have to water them as often as every day. Aim for an inch of water a week.
Fertilize your kale plants during the growing season every six to eight weeks. Fertilizer helps the kale grow strong and robust and keeps it producing healthy, sweet leaves.
Harvest the kale about 70-95 days after sowing and 55-75 days after transferring to your garden. The plant should be at least eight inches tall before you harvest the leaves. Be aware that growing time varies according to each variety, so be sure to look up the appropriate time before harvesting. Pick off the outside leaves first if just harvesting individual leaves. If harvesting the entire plant, cut the stem down to about two inches above the soil with one clean cut. This will allow the plant to continue to produce leaves. Don’t leave the leaves on the plant for too long after they are ready for harvest. Doing so will produce bitter, tough leaves.
Brassica oleracea
Pollination, insect; Life Cycle, biennial; Isolation Distance, ½ mile
Kale needs to undergo exposure to winter cold in order to flower and set seed, so in milder climates, fall planting for seed harvest the following summer works great. In very cold climates it might be necessary to dig the plant up, trim the leaves and store in sawdust or s0d for planting out in spring after frosts have passed. Mediterranean kales of the Brassica oleracea species will cross with each other as will the Siberian kales, Brassica napus, but the Mediterranean and Siberian varieties will not cross with each other. For good seed genetics, allow several plants of the same variety to flower at the same time. Harvest seed pods when brown and dry.
Based in Asheville, NC, Sow True Seed has a small, dedicated staff of dirt worshippers committed to providing high quality, open-pollinated seeds in support of sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture. Founded in 2008 by lifelong gardener and food activist Carol Koury, Sow True Seed was created to preserve our shared botanical heritage and grow a new era of ecological wisdom.
Sow True Seed supports independent, regional agricultural initiatives that foster a vibrant, sustainable economy, and true food sovereignty. They are committed to growing our awareness and actions to honor the heritage of their seeds, the diverse people and places that have contributed to our collective abundance.
Based in the glorious mountains of Western North Carolina – home to a temperate rainforest and one of the most biologically diverse areas of North America – Sow True prides themselves on working with farmers in the region who ensure the survival of heirloom varieties that would otherwise become extinct.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that seed germination rates be tested at least once a year. A “sell by date” is also required on seed packets and cannot date more than a year from the last passing germination test. Sow True Seed tests the germination rates of all seed varieties twice a year via the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to ensure passing germination rates. The sell by date is not a “use by” date; most seed varieties, stored properly, can last up to three years. Sow True Seed stores all seed varieties in a climate controlled facility that averages 50° F and 50% humidity, which are ideal seed storing conditions. For the home gardener the best way to store seeds is in the refrigerator, in a zip top bag or Mason jar, with silica packets to absorb any moisture. We do not recommend storing seeds in the freezer.
We deliver to the Greater Charlotte, NC area.
Please make sure to check that your are in our delivery area prior to ordering this product.
