Kale can be planted quite early in the garden. Plant the seeds about 1/4″ deep in moist, weed free soil. Take care to plant the seeds about four inches apart as you’ll need to do some thinning for a good crop. Once the plants have three sets of leaves, thin to stand about a foot apart. You may harvest baby leaves when the are the size of a soup spoon but only harvest a leaf or two per plant so you don’t stress the plant. As it grows larger, you may harvest more leaves as needed. Kale grows sweeter after being frosted so many folks grow two or more succession crops, ending up with a late fall crop. In milder climates, kale may also be harvested after it snows or kept covered in cloches and used right through winter.
KALE: About 50 seeds per pack
Lacinato
Lacinato or Dinosaur We love this mild, rich-flavored, bumpy strap leaf, Italian kale that looks like miniature palm trees in your garden or flower beds. It’s great in salads when young or as greens as it gets bigger. The leaves are better than 10″ long and 3″ wide and the plant is about 30″ tall. about 50 seeds per pack. 45 days to salad greens or 55 to mature size.
Red Russian
Red Russian We fell in love with this pretty kale. Not only is it pretty and ruffled magnificently but the red of the stems increases onto the leaves as fall’s cool weather hits. Not only beautiful and nutritious but this heritage kale tastes great too! Try baby leaves in salads. 40 days to baby leaves and 60 days to mature leaves. 50 seeds per pack
Scarlet Kale
Scarlet Kale is a great addition to both salads and recipes, both in the baby leaf stage and when the plants get larger. It is very hardy and the color intensifies as a frost or two hits it. In many climates a homesteader can grow kale year-around with some protection. The taste is wonderful! 45 days to baby leaves, 65 days to mature leaves. 50 seeds per pack
