Kale- Siberian (Heirloom)
Brassica napus
Siberian kale, like other kales, is a cool season biennial crop, typically grown as an annual. It has large flat blueish green leaves with ruffled edges and white stems. This variety of kale is said to be very mild in flavor compared to that of other kale varieties, and resembles the flavor of cabbage. Exposure to frost or lower temperatures will help to develop a sweeter flavor. This kale is high in protein and easier to digest than other cruciferous veggies can be, while still boasting the health benefits of other kales (vitamins A, C, K and carotenoids etc!)
One of my favorite ways to plant kale, is to draw a line in the soil, at proper planting depth (1/2"), and sprinkle the seeds in about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, the entire row. As the plants grow, and begin to crowd each other, I begin to thin by harvesting out entire plants, about every other one. Baby kale plants, taste amazing. I will continue to take out every other plant or two, about every week, until I reach proper plant spacing. At that time, I begin to harvest the biggest leaves off the remaining plants, until the season is over.
| Days to germination | 3-10 days |
| Days to maturity | 45-60 days |
| Life cycle | biennial |
| Plant time/Harvest | Plant seeds outdoors any time if night temperatures are 75 or lower. Harvest late fall through early summer |
| Spacing | 15-24 in. |
| Sun | full sun or part shade |
| Soil temperature | 45-85 degrees F. |
| Optimum soil P.H | 6.0-7.5 |
| Height | 24 in. |