Alive Vates Kale

Nature & Nurture Seeds

Brassica oleracea

$4.99

Pkt (≈95 seeds)
VALUE SIZE: 1/10 oz (≈760 seeds)

This curly green kale is the result of years of selection by Oregon’s Don Tipping of Seven Seeds Farm, and we just love it! Leaves are tender and frilly. Plants are taller than Blue Curled Vates, which is good if you can’t keep up with the weeds. We love how easy kale is to grow - plant once in the spring and you quickly have greens that grow all the way through fall (and even into winter if the plants are protected). The breeding of Alive Vates began as a large population of six different strains of green curly kale which were exposed to a frosty Oregon winter with outdoor temperatures as low as 5°F – the survivors were then let to cross with each other. The result is a “grex” – a diverse population of plants from which Don continues to select for desired traits. Great for all kale uses but especially for kale chips and massaged kale salad. Open Source Seed Initiative Pledged.

55 days to maturity

Kale tolerates cold weather so it can be started extra early. Start kale seeds indoors 3/1 at 72-85° (can use a heating mat). Days to germination: 5-8. Transplant outside 3/27, 12” apart. Or, sow kale seeds directly outside anytime 3/27 – 8/1. If sowing seeds outside, plant 3-4 seeds together in a group ¼ ” deep, spaced 10” between groups. Keep seeds evenly moist until germination. Thin to the strongest plant in each group. For baby kale, broadcast sow seeds 2-3” apart. Protect kale plants from deer, groundhogs, and rabbits which will devour them. Kale plants may be eaten by caterpillars. If they cause damage, hand remove caterpillars or spray organic BT.