Days to maturity: 75 days
Blue Curled Scotch Kale, also known as Vates Kale, is a time-tested heirloom variety celebrated for its deeply curled, blue-green leaves, cold hardiness, and exceptional flavor. Compact and vigorous, this nutrient-dense leafy green forms a low-growing rosette of finely ruffled leaves that are both ornamental and edible. Its tender texture and mildly sweet flavor improve with light frost, making it one of the best kale varieties for fall and winter harvests. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and antioxidants, Blue Curled Scotch Kaleis a powerhouse crop for health-conscious gardeners. It's also highly resistant to bolting and thrives in a wide range of climates, making it a reliable performer season after season.
In the kitchen, Blue Curled Scotch Kale is incredibly versatile. Use young leaves fresh in salads or smoothies, or harvest mature leaves for sautéing, steaming, soups, or kale chips. Its attractive frilled texture holds up well to cooking and adds visual appeal to any dish. This variety is also ideal for freezing, preserving its nutritional value for year-round use.
Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring or late summer or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting. Kale prefers full sun to partial shade and grows best in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Space plants 12 to18 inches apart for optimal leaf production. Blue Curled Scotch Kale tolerates frost exceptionally well and can be harvested into winter in many regions. With natural resistance to many common pests and diseases, this dependable variety offers season-long harvests and outstanding garden-to-table value.
