Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Seeds – Heirloom, Non-GMO

Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Seeds

Heirloom • Non-GMO • Cool-Season Vegetable • Approximately 60–70 Days

Grow a classic cool-season leafy vegetable with Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale. This compact heirloom variety produces attractive, finely curled blue-green leaves on productive plants suitable for home gardens, raised beds, market gardens and outdoor containers.

Vates Blue Scotch Curled is especially valued for its cold tolerance and cut-and-come-again harvest. Gardeners can pick the mature outside leaves while leaving the center growing bud intact, allowing the plant to continue producing new foliage.

This listing is for seeds only. No live plants are included.

Product Highlights

• Variety: Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale
• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
• Seed type: Heirloom and Non-GMO
• Organic status: Not certified Organic
• Crop type: Cool-season leafy vegetable
• Growth habit: Compact and upright
• Leaf appearance: Finely curled, blue-green foliage
• Best uses: Fresh garden harvest, raised beds, containers and market gardens
• Harvest style: Whole plant, baby leaf or continuous outer-leaf harvest

Quick Growing Information

Why Grow Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale?

Vates Blue Scotch Curled is a compact kale variety that fits well into smaller gardens while still producing a generous amount of foliage. Its deeply curled leaves create an attractive blue-green appearance and can be harvested at the baby-leaf stage or allowed to mature.

Kale performs best when temperatures remain cool. Spring and fall plantings generally produce the best leaf texture and quality. Established plants are cold tolerant and can continue producing after light frost. Extended summer heat may slow growth, toughen leaves, produce stronger flavors or cause plants to bolt.

Planning Your Kale Crop

Spring Planting

Direct sow outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked, or start seeds indoors approximately 3–4 weeks before the final expected spring frost. Kale seedlings tolerate cool conditions and can usually be transplanted before warm-season vegetables.

Fall Planting

For a fall harvest, sow approximately 70–85 days before the first expected autumn frost. This provides the normal maturity period plus additional time for slower growth as daylight becomes shorter.

Warm-Climate Planting

In regions with mild winters, kale is often most productive from fall through spring. Avoid scheduling the primary crop to mature during prolonged summer heat.

Soil Preparation

1. Select a location with fertile, well-drained soil. Kale grows best in loamy soil with good moisture retention and plenty of organic matter.
2. Test the soil when possible. A pH range of approximately 6.0–7.5 is suitable.
3. Incorporate finished compost or another well-decomposed soil amendment before planting.
4. Avoid fresh manure immediately before planting because it may introduce weeds or harmful organisms.
5. Do not use lawn fertilizers labeled “Weed and Feed” around kale or other vegetable crops.
6. For disease prevention, avoid planting kale where other Brassica crops have grown during the previous four years whenever sufficient garden space is available.

Related Brassica crops include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collards, mustard, turnips, rutabagas and other kale varieties.

Starting Seeds Indoors

1. Fill clean seed-starting cells with a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix.
2. Sow 3–4 seeds per cell approximately 1/4 inch deep.
3. Water gently and keep the growing medium evenly moist but not saturated.
4. Maintain good light and air circulation after seedlings emerge.
5. Thin each cell to the strongest seedling once true leaves begin developing.
6. Grow seedlings until they have a well-developed root system and approximately 4–6 mature leaves.
7. Harden seedlings gradually for approximately one week before transplanting them outdoors.

To harden seedlings, place them outdoors in a protected location for a short period on the first day. Gradually increase their exposure to outdoor light, wind and temperature while monitoring moisture carefully.

Direct Sowing Outdoors

1. Prepare a fine, level seedbed free of large clumps and weeds.
2. Sow 3–4 seeds approximately 1/4 inch deep at each intended planting location.
3. Water gently to avoid washing the small seeds out of the soil.
4. Keep the upper soil layer consistently moist until seedlings emerge.
5. Thin seedlings after true leaves appear, leaving the strongest plant at the desired spacing.

Spacing by Harvest Goal

Watering

Maintain even soil moisture throughout the growing period. Under typical garden conditions, kale may require approximately 1–2 inches of water per week from rainfall and irrigation combined. Adjust for temperature, rainfall, soil type, mulch and container size.

• Water deeply enough to moisten the root zone.
• Allow excess water to drain; do not leave the roots standing in saturated soil.
• Water sandy soil more frequently because it dries faster.
• Apply mulch around established plants to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
• Check containers frequently because container soil may dry faster than garden soil.

Repeated cycles of very dry and very wet soil can slow growth, toughen leaves and contribute to stronger or undesirable flavors.

Fertilization

Kale is a leafy crop and responds to adequate nitrogen, but fertilizer should be based on soil conditions. A soil test is the most reliable way to determine what nutrients are needed.

• Mix finished compost into the planting area before sowing or transplanting.
• If additional feeding is needed, side-dress with an appropriate vegetable fertilizer approximately four weeks after thinning or transplanting.
• Keep concentrated fertilizer several inches away from plant stems.
• Water after fertilizing according to the product label.
• Avoid excessive fertilizer, which may cause weak or overly soft growth.

Growing Kale in Containers

Vates Blue Scotch Curled can be grown in outdoor containers because of its compact growth habit. Select a container with drainage holes and fill it with a high-quality potting mix rather than dense garden soil.

• Allow adequate room for the desired plant size.
• Use closer spacing when harvesting baby leaves.
• For full-size plants, provide approximately 12–18 inches of growing space.
• Monitor containers frequently because they can dry out faster than in-ground beds.
• During warm weather, move containers where plants receive afternoon protection from intense heat.

Common Garden Pests

Aphids

Aphids may gather on the undersides of leaves and along new growth. Inspect plants regularly and dislodge small infestations with a firm stream of water when practical.

Cabbage Worms and Loopers

These green caterpillars chew irregular holes in kale leaves. Check the undersides of leaves and the centers of plants regularly. Lightweight insect mesh or row cover can help prevent adult insects from laying eggs on young plants.

Flea Beetles

Flea beetles create numerous small holes, especially on seedlings. Protecting young plants with insect mesh and maintaining vigorous, evenly watered growth can reduce early damage.

Disease Prevention

• Rotate kale and related Brassica crops whenever garden space allows.
• Provide sufficient spacing and airflow between mature plants.
• Use clean containers and seed-starting supplies.
• Remove severely damaged or diseased plant material from the growing area.
• Avoid keeping the soil continuously saturated.
• Control weeds that may compete for water, nutrients and airflow.

Harvesting Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale

Baby leaves can be harvested once they reach the size you prefer. Full-size outer leaves are generally ready around 60–70 days after sowing, depending on weather and growing conditions.

1. Harvest the older outside leaves first.
2. Use clean scissors or a garden knife to avoid tearing the main stem.
3. Leave the center growing bud and several upper leaves intact.
4. Return regularly to harvest newly matured outside leaves.
5. Remove yellowing lower leaves to improve cleanliness and airflow.

Cool fall conditions and light frost may improve the texture and flavor of kale leaves. Protect plants with row cover or a low tunnel when severe cold is expected and an extended harvest is desired.

Troubleshooting Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale Organic?

No. This seed lot is confirmed Heirloom and Non-GMO, but it is not certified Organic.

How long does kale take to germinate?

Under suitable moisture, depth and temperature conditions, germination generally takes approximately 3–10 days.

Can this kale be grown in containers?

Yes. Use a container with drainage holes, quality potting mix and enough space for the intended harvest size. Container soil should be checked frequently for moisture.

Does kale need full sun?

Kale grows well in full sun during cool weather and can also tolerate partial sun. Protection from intense afternoon heat may help in warmer conditions.

Can kale grow after frost?

Established kale plants are cold tolerant and can continue producing after frost. Severe cold, exposed sites and rapid temperature changes may still damage plants.

Can I harvest from the same plant more than once?

Yes. Harvest the mature outside leaves and leave the center bud intact so the plant can continue producing new growth.

Are live kale plants included?

No. This product contains seeds only.

Package Information

Select your preferred package size from the available options. Seed counts sold by weight are approximate because natural seed size, moisture and lot characteristics can vary.

Seeds are packaged by Mai’s Family LLC for home gardening and agricultural planting use.

Important Growing Notice

Germination and garden performance depend on seed storage, planting depth, temperature, soil, moisture, light, weather, pest pressure and other conditions outside the seller’s control. Growing results cannot be guaranteed.

Love Plants, Love Earth.