Kale, with its vibrant green leaves and nutrient-packed profile, has become a staple in the world of healthy eating. From the curly-leafed varieties to the more exotic options like Red Russian and Lacinato, the kale family offers a diverse range of options for home gardeners looking to cultivate this vegetable. In this article, we will explore 14 of the best types of kale to grow in your garden, providing insights into their taste profiles, growing requirements, and culinary uses.
WHAT IS KALE
Kale is a leafy green vegetable from the cabbage family and has taken the health and wellness world by storm. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K and minerals like calcium and iron, kale packs a powerful punch when it comes to nourishing our bodies. It is also used raw in salads and smoothies, roasted for kale chips, and cooked into soup. Many varieties vary in leaf shapes, textures, and colors. It is grown in cold weather.
TYPES OF KALE
Brassica oleracea and Brassica napus are two distinct groups of kale, each with their unique characteristics and benefits. Brassica oleracea, commonly known as curly kale, is rich in antioxidants and vitamin K, making it a powerhouse vegetable for promoting healthy skin and bone health. Its curly leaves provide texture and depth to dishes while offering a slightly bitter taste that adds complexity to meals.
On the other hand, Brassica napus, also known as Siberian kale or smooth-leaf kale, boasts a milder flavor profile compared to curly kale. This type of kale is known for its tender leaves and versatility in cooking. From salads to smoothies, smooth-leaf kale can be easily incorporated into various recipes while still providing an abundance of nutrients like vitamin C and fiber. These are more winter-hardy and have better insect resistance.
While both brassica oleracea and brassica napus belong to the same family of vegetables, each type of kale offers a unique culinary experience with its own set of nutritional benefits. Whether you prefer the bold taste of curly kale or the mildness of smooth-leaf kale, incorporating these nutrient-dense greens into your diet can help enhance your overall health and well-being.
TYPES OF KALE IN BRASSICA OLERACEA
There are many types of kale in the brassica oleracea group.Lets explore them one by one.
1:Dwarf blue curled scotch Kale
Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch kale may be small in stature, but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to flavor and nutrition. Its delicate blue-green leaves form tight curls that are not only visually appealing but also signify high levels of antioxidants and vitamins.
Its compact size also makes it a perfect choice for those with limited gardening space or for container gardening enthusiasts. Whether sautéed as a side dish, blended into smoothies for added nutrients, or used raw in salads for a crispy texture, this kale variety offers endless possibilities to incorporate more greens into your diet. It grows about 12 to 16 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
2:Lacinato Kale
Lacinato kale, also commonly known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, is a unique variety of kale that stands out for its dark blue-green, bumpy textured leaves that resemble the skin of a dinosaur. This ancient vegetable has been cultivated in Tuscany for centuries and is now appreciated worldwide for its robust flavor and nutrient-rich profile. It can be enjoyed raw in salads, sautéed with garlic and olive oil, or baked into crispy kale chips.
Another name for lacinato kale is Cavolo Nero, which translates to black cabbage in Italian. Despite its intimidating appearance, lacinato kale offers a mild and slightly sweet taste that pairs well with a variety of ingredients.
3:Rainbow Lacinato Kale
Rainbow lacinato kale, with its vibrant array of colors and knobby leaves, is not just a feast for the eyes but also a powerhouse of nutrients. This unique variety of kale contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for maintaining overall health. From protecting against chronic diseases to promoting healthy digestion, rainbow lacinato kale offers an impressive range of benefits that make it a valuable addition to any diet.
4:Redbor Kale
Redbor kale, with its striking deep purple-red leaves, is not only a visual feast but also a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and fiber, this leafy green is a must-have in any healthy diet. Its slightly peppery flavor adds a unique twist to salads and smoothies, making it a versatile ingredient for culinary experimentation.
5:Winterbor Kale
Winterbor kale, with its frost-hardy nature and tall 10 to 12-inch long leaves, is a true winter warrior in the garden. Its thick foliage serves as a protective shield against harsh cold weather, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking to grow greens during the winter months. Not only does Winterbor kale survive the frost, but it also thrives in these chilly conditions, developing a deliciously sweet flavor that is unmatched by its warm-weather counterparts.
One unique aspect of Winterbor kale is its ability to maintain its tenderness even as it grows taller and more mature. This means that you can harvest leaves from this variety at any stage without sacrificing quality or taste. Additionally, the robust size and thickness of Winterbor kale’s leaves make them perfect for hearty salads, stir-fries, and soups.
6:Prizm Kale
Prizm kale, a vibrant and nutrient-dense variety of kale grows about 12 inches long. With its striking purple veins contrasting against dark green leaves, prizm kale adds a pop of color to any dish.
Prizm kale has high fiber content, which can aid digestion and promote a feeling of fullness. Additionally, the combination of phytochemicals found in Prizm kale has been linked to reduced inflammation in the body, making it an excellent choice for those looking to support their immune system and combat chronic diseases. Whether enjoyed raw in salads or cooked into soups and stir-fries, Prizm kale offers a delicious way to incorporate more nutrients into your diet while adding a colorful touch to your meals.
7:Portuguese Kale
Portuguese kale, also known as Tronchuda, is a versatile and nutritious leafy green vegetable commonly used in traditional Portuguese cuisine. With its dark green curled leaves and slightly bitter flavor, this superfood is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron. What sets Portuguese kale apart from other varieties is its ability to thrive in cooler climates, making it a staple ingredient in hearty soups, stews, and salads during the colder months.
Beyond its culinary uses, Portuguese kale also boasts several health benefits that make it a valuable addition to any diet. Studies have shown that this leafy green can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, the high fiber content of Portuguese kale promotes digestive health and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Whether sautéed with garlic and olive oil or mixed into a nutrient-packed smoothie, incorporating Portuguese kale into your meals can elevate both the taste and nutritional value of your dishes.
8:Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale, with its vibrant colors and unique appearance, is not just a visual treat for the eyes but also a versatile addition to any garden or landscape. Known for its distinctive frilly leaves that come in shades of purple, pink, white, and green, ornamental kale adds a pop of color and texture to flower beds and mixed planters. Beyond its aesthetics, ornamental kale is also surprisingly cold-resistant, making it an ideal choice for fall and winter gardens.
One interesting aspect of ornamental kale is its edible qualities despite being primarily grown for ornamental purposes. While the taste may not be as palatable as traditional kale varieties used in cooking, ornamental kale can still be included in salads or garnishes to add a decorative touch to dishes. Additionally, the contrasting hues and patterns of different ornamental kale varieties offer endless possibilities for creative landscaping designs and arrangements. Whether used as standalone plants or as part of a larger composition, ornamental kale brings a playful element to any outdoor space.
9:Walking stick Kale
Walking stick kale, also known as Jersey Cabbage, is a unique and nutritious vegetable that grows 10 feet tall. Unlike traditional kale varieties, walking stick kale grows vertically, resembling a small tree with large leaves shooting out from its central stem. This unusual growth pattern not only adds visual interest to the garden but also makes it easier to harvest and maintain.
One of the key benefits of walking stick kale is its exceptionally high nutritional value. Packed with vitamins A, K, and C, as well as calcium and iron, this leafy green powerhouse offers a range of health benefits that support overall well-being. Additionally, its versatility in the kitchen makes it a great ingredient for various dishes such as salads, stir-fries, soups, and smoothies.
Types of Kale in the Brassica Napus Group
This is another group of kale and includes different varieties of kale.
1:Red Russian Kale
Red Russian Kale, also known as Ragged Jack, is a variety of kale that boasts vibrant red stems and frilly green leaves. Known for its mild flavor and tender texture, this type of kale is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. Its unique appearance adds a pop of color to salads, stir-fries, and soups, making it a favorite among home cooks and chefs alike.
Red Russian Kale is that it is packed with nutrients such as vitamin A, C, K, and calcium. This vegetable has been linked to numerous health benefits including improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and enhanced immune function.
2:Siberian Kale
Nestled in the frosty landscape of Siberia lies a little-known green gem known as Siberian kale. This cold-hardy variety of kale thrives in harsh winter conditions, making it a resilient and valuable addition to any garden. With its deep green leaves and slightly sweeter flavor compared to other types of kale, Siberian kale is beloved by many for its versatility in the kitchen.
One unique characteristic of Siberian kale is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, allowing it to be harvested well into the winter months when other greens have long withered away.
3:White Russian Kale
White Russian kale is a unique variety of kale known for its tender leaves and mild flavor. Unlike traditional curly kale, White Russian kale has a smoother texture and a slightly sweeter taste, making it a popular choice for salads and sautés. This variety also boasts a striking appearance with its blue-green leaves tinged with white veins, adding visual interest to any dish.
4:Red Ursa Kale
Red Ursa Kale, with its vibrant crimson leaves and robust flavor in another type of brassica napus.This variety of kale not only adds a pop of color to dishes but also packs a nutritional punch with high levels of vitamins A, C, and K. Its slightly peppery taste makes it a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries and soups
Red Ursa Kale has high anthocyanin content, which gives it its distinctive red hue and also provides powerful antioxidant properties. This makes it not only a visually striking addition to meals but also a health-boosting.
Growing tips for all types of kale
Start growing kale seeds inside your home. Once your kale seeds have sprouted and developed their first set of true leaves, it’s time to start thinking about transplanting them outdoors. Before moving your kale seedlings into the garden, make sure you harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days. This process will help prevent shock and ensure successful transplantation.
Choosing the right containers for starting your kale seeds indoors is crucial for their healthy growth. Opt for trays or pots with good drainage holes to avoid waterlogging and root rot. consider using a high-quality seed starting mix that is light and well-draining to promote strong root development in your kale seedlings.
To encourage sturdy and vigorous growth in your indoor-started kale plants, provide them with ample light. When it comes to growing kale, one crucial element to consider is nitrogen. Nitrogen is essential for leafy green vegetables like kale as it promotes healthy foliage growth.
To ensure your kale plants receive an adequate amount of nitrogen, consider incorporating organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer specifically formulated for leafy greens can help boost the nutrient levels in the soil.
It’s important to note that while nitrogen is crucial for kale growth, excessive amounts can lead to issues such as delayed maturity and reduced overall crop yield. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen-rich products to prevent these potential problems. Instead, focus on maintaining a balance by regularly testing the soil and adjusting your fertilizer application accordingly. By monitoring and providing the right amount of nitrogen, you can ensure your kale plants thrive and produce abundant, nutritious leaves for harvest.