Kale Dwarf Green Curled - Brassica oleracea acephala

The Kale Dwarf Green Curled is a dwarf variety that is exceptionally hardy and thrives in difficult growing conditions. It produces beautiful dark green curled leaves of excellent nutritional quality. Sow from March to May for a harvest 50 to 65 days later.

Kale ("Kayle") is an ancient green cabbage with exceptional nutritional values: it contains more vitamin C than an orange and more calcium than a glass of milk. Low in calories, rich in minerals, and detoxifying, this cabbage, still relatively unknown in Europe, is gaining popularity in our kitchens.

Also known as Borecole, Rabbit Cabbage, or Cow Cabbage, this true nutritional phenomenon has tough curly foliage ranging from green to dark red. It does not form a head. It belongs to the large family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae) and has the Latin name Brassica oleracea acephala.

Once common on medieval tables and relegated to fodder cabbage, Kale has experienced a spectacular resurgence. It can be eaten raw in salads or quickly steamed and prepared in various ways: quickly sautéed, in gratins, quiches, purées... This "Superfood" can also be incorporated into various preparations such as fruit smoothies. And if you're lacking inspiration, several recipe books are dedicated solely to this particular cabbage.

Kale is easy to grow as it requires little space and is exceptionally hardy (at least -10°C). It also seems to be more resistant to potential pest attacks. However, it requires excellent organic fertilisation and regular moisture, like almost all cabbages.

Harvest: It is done with a knife by removing the leaves from the outer edge of the plant, which will continue to grow and produce new leaves. Kale can be harvested from the young leaf stage until it reaches maturity.

Storage: This cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, but since it would be a shame to miss out on its vitamins, we recommend consuming it quickly after harvesting. It freezes well after being blanched for 3 minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardening tip: To reduce the need for watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, preferably mixed with dead leaves, starting from late May. This protective layer helps the soil retain moisture and also reduces weed growth.