300+ Vates Blue Curled Kale Seeds

Vates Blue Curled Kale Seeds (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) produce compact, hardy plants with densely curled, blue-green leaves and a tender texture. Developed from Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch kale, this dependable variety is known for retaining its attractive color during both cold and warm weather. The flavorful leaves are excellent for fresh salads, smoothies, soups, stir-fries, steaming, and homemade kale chips. Vates Kale grows especially well during cool weather and can continue producing fresh leaves after light autumn frosts.

Planting Season

Best planted in: Early Spring & Late Summer to Fall (Cool-Season Crop)

Sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a fall harvest, sow approximately three months before the average first frost date.

Vates Blue Curled Kale performs best in cool conditions. Established plants tolerate frost, and exposure to cool autumn weather can improve the sweetness and flavor of the leaves.

How to Grow Vates Blue Curled Kale Seeds

Sow seeds directly outdoors or start them indoors approximately four weeks before transplanting.

Choose a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Light afternoon shade can help protect plants during warmer weather.

Grow in fertile, loamy, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal.

Sow seeds approximately ¼–½ inch deep.

For direct sowing, plant seeds approximately 1–2 inches apart in rows spaced 18–30 inches apart.

Thin seedlings to approximately 8–12 inches apart after they become established. Allow 12–18 inches between plants when larger mature leaves are desired.

For baby-leaf production, plants may be spaced approximately 4 inches apart.

Keep the soil consistently moist during germination, but do not allow it to become waterlogged.

Seeds typically germinate within approximately 5–10 days under suitable conditions.

When starting indoors, sow 2–3 seeds per cell and thin to the strongest seedling after emergence.

Transplant seedlings when they are approximately four to five weeks old and have developed several true leaves.

Harden seedlings gradually before transplanting by exposing them to outdoor conditions over several days.

How to Care for Vates Blue Curled Kale Plants

Water regularly and provide approximately 1 inch of water per week when rainfall is insufficient.

Maintain steady moisture throughout the growing season. Heat and moisture stress can make kale leaves tougher, more pungent, and more bitter.

Water near the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of leaf diseases.

Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Apply a balanced or nitrogen-containing vegetable fertilizer after the plants become established if growth is slow or the leaves appear pale.

Avoid excessive fertilizer, especially when the soil has already been enriched with compost.

Apply a 3–4-inch layer of clean straw, dried grass clippings, or another organic mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Remove weeds with shallow cultivation to avoid damaging the roots.

Rotate kale and other brassica crops to a different garden location each year. Avoid planting them where cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard, turnips, or related crops have grown during the previous four years.

Inspect plants regularly for cabbageworms, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, aphids, and slugs. Lightweight row covers can protect young plants from common insect pests.

Harvest the tender outer leaves when they reach a useful size, leaving the smaller central leaves intact so the plant continues growing.

For baby kale, begin harvesting young leaves before they reach full size. For mature leaves, pick from the bottom of the plant upward.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued leaf production. Leaves generally become sweeter and more flavorful after exposure to light frost.

Vates Blue Curled Kale typically reaches maturity in approximately 55 days, depending on temperature and growing conditions.

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