Saanich Organics
Siberian Kale
Siberian Kale
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A hardy, delicious, moderately curled green kale. Tender leaves are perfect for summer kale salads and smoothies, and cold tolerant plants will continue to grow and can be picked through the winter in mild climates. Keira's pick for the best all-around kale to be added to any dish year-round! Plant in early spring for summer harvest, and in June/July for fall and winter harvest. 50 days to maturity.
Certified organic in British Columbia. IOPA # 1606, 1105, 1920.
How to Save Kale Seed
Fast Facts
Latin: Brassica oleracea
Cross Pollination: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard, kale, kohlrabi, all other Brassica oleracea varieties
Isolation Distance: 800 feet
Minimum Population Size (variety maintenance): 20-50 plants
Minimum Population Size (genetic preservation): 80 plants
Seeding and Care
Kale is a biennial plant, it will produce seeds early in its second season of growth, or in some cases late in the first season. Grow as you typically would for a fresh kale crop. Space plants 12” apart and harvest as you wish, but stop the harvest in late summer or early fall to allow plants to grow and recover before overwintering. Overwinter in the ground where the climate permits. Kale will flower early the following spring.
Seed Harvest
When the majority of pods have formed and filled out, but before they dry and go brown, cut the plants and lay on a tarp to dry. It is important to harvest the plants while there is still a tinge of green to the plants, as they are prone to shattering, meaning the pods will burst open as they dry and the seeds will fall to the ground. Birds eating your brassica seeds is a surefire sign that it’s time to get in there and harvest.
Seed Cleaning
Thresh the seeds by laying the entire dry seed stalks on a tarp and stomping and shuffling on the plants to crack open the pods and detach the seeds. It’s important that seeds are very dry at this stage to prevent them being crushed by the threshing process. Shake the threshed material through a screen, allowing the seeds to pass through and the larger debris to remain on the top. Then, winnow using wind or a fan, pouring seeds from one container to another while allowing the lighter chaff to blow away.
