Winter Kale

1000 Seeds

Seeding Winter Kale is a fantastic way to ensure fresh, nutrient-rich greens throughout the colder months. Whether you're growing curly kale, Siberian kale, Red Russian, or Lacinato (dinosaur) kale, the process is largely the same—and all can survive light to moderate frosts, with many tasting sweeter after frost exposure.

🥬 Winter Kale – Seeding Guide

🌿 Quick Facts

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea (for curly/Lacinato) or Brassica napus (for Siberian types)

• Type: Biennial (grown as an annual for leaves)

• Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9

• Frost-tolerant: Yes — becomes sweeter with cold

• Ideal sowing time for winter crop: Mid to late summer

📅 When to Sow

✅ Example: For a November–March harvest, sow seeds July to mid-August.

🌱 How to Sow (Indoors or Outdoors)

1. Prepare soil or containers:

   • Loamy, fertile, well-drained soil

   • pH around 6.0–7.0

2. Sow depth: ¼–½ inch (6–12 mm)

3. Spacing:

   • Thin or transplant to 12–18 in (30–45 cm) apart

   • Rows: 18–24 in (45–60 cm) apart

4. Germination temp: 60–75°F (16–24°C)

5. Germination time: 5–10 days

🌞 Care Tips

• Sunlight: Full sun to light shade

• Water: Keep evenly moist, especially in hot late-summer weather

• Mulch: Helps retain moisture and reduce weeds

• Feeding: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer midseason

❄️ Frost Protection (if needed)

• Most kale survives to ~20°F (-6°C); some even lower

• In harsh winter areas:

  • Use row covers, low tunnels, or cold frames

  • Mulch heavily around the base

✂️ Harvesting

• Begin harvesting baby leaves in 30 days, full size in 50–75 days

• Pick outer leaves first, allowing the center to keep growing

• Plants can be harvested all winter and into early spring

✅ Best Winter Kale Varieties

• ‘Winterbor’ – extremely hardy, curled, dark green leaves

• ‘Red Russian’ – tender, beautiful red-veined leaves

• ‘Siberian’ – mild and hardy

• ‘Nero di Toscana’ (Lacinato) – elegant blue-green leaves