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 is a proud member of the Brassica oleracea family, nicknamed "the Acephala Group" and known for its dark, reddish-purple leaves and thick, crunchy stalks. It's an amazing, nutritional powerhouse vegetable, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with a good dose of calcium, iron, and other essential minerals. Kale also contains powerful antioxidant properties, and studies have shown it can be beneficial for cardiovascular health. With its crunchy texture and deep flavor, it can easily be ad	Loamy Soil	6.6 - 7.3			8A
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
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