The Ultimate Guide to 13 of the Best Kale Varieties for Your Home Garden
Are you looking to add some nutritious leafy greens to your garden this season? Kale might just be the perfect crop for you. Not only is it a cool-weather crop that can be planted early in the spring and late in the summer, but it’s also versatile, delicious, and easy to grow.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to 13 of the best kale varieties that will not only enrich your family’s diet but also add color and texture to your garden. From unique flavors to vibrant colors, there’s a kale variety for every taste and gardening style.
So, grab your gardening gloves and let’s dive into the world of kale!
Why Kale?
Before we get into the specific varieties, let’s talk about why kale is such a fantastic addition to any garden. Here are a few reasons why you should consider growing kale:
- Nutrient-packed: Kale is a powerhouse of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium.
- Versatile: Kale can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to smoothies to soups.
- Easy to grow: Kale is a hardy plant that thrives in cool weather and can withstand some frost.
- Colorful and attractive: With its vibrant colors and unique textures, kale can add visual interest to your garden.
Now that you know why kale is such a great choice, let’s explore some of the best varieties to consider for your home garden.
1. Black Magic
First up, we have Black Magic, a cultivated variety of heirloom lacinato kale. This type of kale is known for its slender, bumpy leaves that are almost black in color. Black Magic is especially heat tolerant and can be enjoyed fresh in salads or cooked in stir-fry dishes. Plus, it’s frost-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about cold weather ruining your harvest.
2. Dazzling Blue
If you’re looking for a cold-tolerant variety, Dazzling Blue might be the perfect choice. With its blue-green leaves and purple midribs, this kale adds a pop of color to your garden. Dazzling Blue is versatile and can be enjoyed raw or cooked, making it a great option for salads or stir-fries.
3. Dwarf Siberian
Dwarf Siberian is a winter-hardy Russian heirloom with blue-green, slightly ruffled leaves. This kale variety has a unique flavor with hints of cabbage and is perfect for raw eating in sandwiches and salads. Its compact nature makes it ideal for container gardening.
4. Premier
Premier is an heirloom cultivar with medium green, smooth leaves that are mild in flavor. This variety is slow to bolt and high yielding, making it a great choice for cold plates. Premier is also cold tolerant and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
5. Prizm Hybrid
Prizm is a hybrid variety with nearly stemless green leaves that curl tightly. This kale has a nutty undertone and is excellent in cold dishes or fast-prep stir-fries. Prizm matures quickly and is great for smaller-scale plots and containers.
6. Redbor
For a pop of color in your garden, consider growing Redbor kale. With its curly purple leaves and upright growth habit, Redbor adds texture and vertical interest to your garden. This variety is cold-hardy and sweetens with every freeze, making it a great choice for salads or cooking.
7. Red Russian
Red Russian kale is an extremely cold-tolerant variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -10°F. This kale has greenish-purple leaves with purple ribs and veining, making it a beautiful addition to your garden. Red Russian is best for slow-cooking dishes that tenderize the thick stalks.
8. Red Ursa
Red Ursa is a kale variety with green oak-style leaves and magenta ribs and veining. This cultivar is heat and cold tolerant, with above-average bolt resistance and frost tolerance. Harvest the leaves when they’re young for the sweetest addition to salads.
9. Red Winter
Similar to Red Russian, Red Winter kale has ruffled oak-shaped leaves and purple veining. This variety is especially soft and sweet when the leaves are young, making it perfect for salads and soups. Red Winter is great for container gardening and matures quickly.
10. Scarlet
Scarlet kale has deep blue-purple leaves with magenta midribs and veining. This variety is delicious both raw and cooked and is best when the leaves are young. Scarlet is cold and heat tolerant, making it a versatile choice for your garden.
11. Tronchuda Beira Hybrid
Tronchuda Beira is an unusual kale variety with flat blue-green leaves and thick white ribs. Resembling a loose head of cabbage, this kale is perfect for traditional soups like Portuguese caldo verde. Tronchuda Beira is heat tolerant and performs well in cold temperatures.
12. Vates Blue Scots Curled
Vates Blue Scots Curled is an heirloom variety with tight and curly blue-green leaves. This kale can withstand light frost and thrives in both heat and cold. Vates Blue Scots Curled is great for salads, smoothies, or slow-cooked dishes.
13. White Russian
White Russian kale has blue-green oak-style leaves with white ribs and ruffled edges. This variety is especially cold tolerant, and its sweetness is enhanced by frost. White Russian is perfect for fresh baby greens or slow-cooked dishes.
Time to Plant Your Kale Garden
With so many delicious and nutritious kale varieties to choose from, it’s time to start planning your kale garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, kale is a great crop to grow in your home garden.
When selecting kale varieties, consider factors like days to maturity, heat and cold tolerance, and flavor profiles. Choose the varieties that best suit your growing environment and culinary preferences.
Do you have a favorite kale variety that you love to grow? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more gardening tips and inspiration, check out our other articles on how to harvest kale, natural insect control for kale, and companion plants to grow with kale.
Happy gardening! 🌿
