Judy's Siberian Kale
Brassica napus
Judy Vonhandorf and her fellow farmers at The Community Supported Garden at Genesis Farm have developed this incredible variety of kale over several decades of selecting for flavor and cold hardiness. This is a great variety for winter greens. It has the sweetest, most complex flavor, tender enough for salads, and hearty enough to be cooked. Market photo by Roots to River Farm.
Days to maturity: 55 (45 for baby greens)
Seeds per pack: 250
Germination rate: 92% on 02/12/2024
Planting / harvesting notes
Either start indoors or direct sow. Sow seeds 1/4" deep in potting soil 4-8 weeks before the last frost, and transplant 1-2' apart just before the last frost. In Fall, We direct sow our seeds 1/4" deep every few inches, and cover with hoops and plastic row covers. In the Spring, we thin the plants to one every 12-18" (24" for seed production), eating the thinnings. Regularly harvest these delicious leaves when young and tender!
Seed keeping notes
Isolate by 1/2 mile from other flowering members of B. napus, including Rapeseed, Swedes, Rutabagas, Siberian Kale, and Canola to avoid unwanted cross-pollination. Allow seed pods to turn brown and dry before seed harvest. Protect from birds.