Oatmeal Farm Network | Kale Varietals

Varietal Name	Description	Soil Texture	pH Range	Organic Matter	Salinity Level	Hardiness Zone	Humidity	Water (in/wk)
Beira Kale	A Portuguese variety with large, flat leaves and thick stems, similar to collard greens but with a sweeter, more tender taste.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Cavolo Nero	An Italian kale with dark, textured leaves, often used in traditional Tuscan dishes like ribollita soup.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Chinese Kale	Leafy green vegetable with thick stems and leaves.	Loamy Soil	7.4 - 7.8	High (4% - 6%)	< 2	12A	Moderate	1 - 1.5
Curly Kale	The most common type of kale, known for its bright green, ruffled leaves and mildly bitter flavor. It’s popular in salads, smoothies, and as a cooked vegetable.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Dazzling Blue Kale	A vibrant variety of Lacinato kale with blue-green leaves and purple stems, known for its colorful appearance and sweet flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Dwarf Blue Curled Kale	A compact, curly-leafed variety that is great for small gardens and has a mildly sweet and earthy flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Dwarf Siberian Kale	A small, compact variety that produces hardy, tender leaves with a mild flavor, particularly frost-resistant.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Hungry Gap Kale	A hardy variety grown for its tender spring shoots, traditionally used to fill the “hungry gap” between seasons.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Lacinato Kale	Also known as Dinosaur or Tuscan Kale, it has long, dark green, bumpy leaves and a slightly sweeter, nuttier flavor than curly kale.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Nero di Toscana	A variant of Lacinato kale with dark blue-green, blistered leaves. Known for its strong flavor and firm texture.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Pentland Brig Kale	A Scottish variety that produces large, tender leaves and is known for its excellent resistance to frost and bolting.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Premier Kale	An early-maturing kale with smooth, tender leaves that have a slightly sweeter flavor than most other varieties.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Red Russian Kale	Characterized by flat, fringed leaves with purple stems, it has a sweeter and more delicate flavor compared to other kale varieties.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Red Ursa Kale	A cross between Red Russian and Siberian kale, with a mild, sweet flavor and beautiful red-veined leaves.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Redbor Kale	A striking curly-leafed kale with deep purple or red leaves, used both for culinary purposes and as an ornamental plant.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Scarlet Kale	A vibrant purple kale variety with curly leaves, often grown for its ornamental value as well as its mild, sweet flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Sea Kale	A perennial kale variety found near coastal regions, with white, asparagus-like shoots and blue-green leaves, often foraged.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Siberian Kale	A cold-hardy variety with flat, broad, light green leaves, known for its mild flavor and excellent frost tolerance.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Smooth German Kale	A variety with large, smooth, flat leaves, known for its mild flavor and use in German cooking.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Sutherland Kale	An heirloom kale from Scotland, with broad leaves and a sweet, mild flavor, known for thriving in poor soil and cold weather.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Thousandhead Kale	An old heirloom variety with massive, tender leaves, excellent for use as a cooked vegetable.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Toscano	Italian heirloom, also known as "dinosaur" kale. Dark blue-green strap leaves with a gently scalloped margin. Rich and tender with a mild kale flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Tronchuda Kale	Also known as Portuguese Kale, it has large, thick, flat leaves with a white rib and a milder, sweeter flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Vates Blue Curled Kale	A smaller, curly variety known for its compact growth, mild flavor, and excellent cold tolerance.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Walking Stick Kale	A unique variety that can grow several feet tall, with large leaves used both for food and for making walking sticks.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Westlander Kale	A variety known for its productivity and cold tolerance, with curly leaves and a sweet, earthy flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
White Russian Kale	A variant of Russian kale with light green leaves and white stems, offering a tender texture and sweet flavor.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low
Winterbor Kale	A cold-hardy, curly kale variety with blue-green leaves that become sweeter after frost, ideal for winter harvest.	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3	Moderate (2% - 4%)	< 2	8A	Low