Curled Kitchen Kale Brassica napus (Pabularia Group)

Siberian kale is a cool-weather annual or biennial in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and is a result of breeding field mustard and wild cabbage. The genus name is Latin for cabbage.

Kale can grow 1-3 feet tall and wide and do best in full sun and any amended well-drained moist garden soil. They can be directly sown in the garden or purchased as seedlings and planted in either spring or fall. In the south, they can be grown all winter long as they tolerate frost and light freezes. Provide adequate nitrogen for best results. Get a soil test before planting and fertilize according to the results.

These kales are more tender than other varieties with a milder flavor. They are also more resistant to insects and diseases and more winter hardy.  The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.  In spring the plant will bolt and send up a flower stalk with yellow flowers that early bees are attracted to. 

Use this plant in the fall, winter and spring edible garden. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Diseases affecting this plant include club root, leaf spot, and black rot.  Insect problems include flea beetles, aphids, whitefly, root maggots and fungus gnats.  See pests of crucifers to the left.