Kale Scarlet Borecole Vegetable/Fruit Seeds

Packet Content (approx.): 430 (1g)

Kale Scarlet - Borecole / Curly kale is a beautiful new variety from UK breeding, Scarlet kale seeds produce plants that grow tall, with highly curled leaves, almost as dark purple as Redbor. Scarlet has great flavour either as baby leaf or mature kale, and the flavour improves (along with the colour) after frost. This is a handsome, ornamental, and very edible kale to try in your organic vegetable garden. Plan short rows of Scarlet for early spring, then for summer, and finally for fall and winter harvests. Chopped or minced raw kale contains the highest amount of sulforaphane, the compound thought to have powerful cancer-fighting properties. Boiling kale loses much of this property, while steaming and microwaving have less impact.

Large strap-leafed plant with Scarlet leaves. Also known as Palm cabbage because of its appearance. Well flavored hardy plant. It can also be used in bedding to make a stunning back drop to other plants 

Kale 'Scarlet' produces highly decorative, dark green, red veined leaves which show more colour as colder weather approaches. This superb curly Kale makes a delicious 'salad leaf' when young, or can be grown to maturity for a supply of winter greens at a time when fresh vegetable are scarce in the garden. Mature plants show excellent winter hardiness, standing well in the harshest weather for a long season of harvest. Height: 90cm (35"). Spread: 60cm (24").

Companion planting: Try growing kale with Nasturtiums to draw cabbage white butterflies away from your crop, and mint to help deter flea beetles.

Sow between mid May and July
Germinates between 10 and 25°C.   
Plant spacings 60 x 60cm. 
Harvest in Autumn and Winter

For salad leaves Kale can be sown indoors all year round. Harvest 30 days from sowing during summer and up to 60 days during winter months. For mature plants, sow Kale seed from March to June. Direct sow outdoors into a well prepared seedbed, for transplanting to their final positions later on. Sow at a depth of 1cm (1/2") and distance of 23cm (9") between rows. Kale plants can be transplanted to their final positions approximately 5 weeks from sowing.

Grow kale in firm, rich fertile, well drained soil in sun or semi shade. Prepare the soil in early spring by adding plenty of well rotted farmyard manure to the soil to improve its structure and fertility. Apply lime to acid soils to reduce the acidity and lessen the risk of clubroot. When transplanting kale, plant it slightly deeper in the ground than it was in the seedbed. Plant kale at a distance of 60cm (24") apart and cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. Water the plants thoroughly after planting.

Kale is exceptionally hardy and requires little aftercare. Water when necessary and hoe between plants regularly to prevent weeds from establishing and bring insect larvae to the surface. Kale can be harvested from September as young leaves using a cut and come again method, but will stand well in the ground for a long time throughout winter, and improves in flavour after it has been frosted. Pinch out the centre stem first to encourage side shoots to develop. Harvest kale when it is required as the leaves do not store well, unless they are frozen.