This month’s seed kit features Dwarf Siberian Kale.  To support our environment, some seed kit materials are now available digitally. Follow the links to download a planting log, additional delicious recipes, and coloring pages. 

Dwarf Siberian Kale

A Russian heirloom variety with ruffled leaves and compact growth habit, Dwarf Siberian Kale is great for small gardens!  Generally sweeter than other kale varieties, Siberian Kale is a wonderful addition to salads and sautés. 

Planting Instructions

Culture: Dwarf Siberian Kale is a versatile and nutritious plant suitable for all growing zones. It thrives in both full and partial sun. Directly sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in moist, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. Space seeds 18-24 inches apart, with 2 feet between rows for optimal growth. This kale variety prefers cooler temperatures, which is ideal for early spring and fall planting.

Direct Seeding: For direct seeding, plant seeds outdoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Choose a sunny or partially shaded location. When plants reach 3 inches tall or thin, transplant them to maintain proper spacing.

Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during hot weather, to ensure the soil remains damp. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root diseases. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.

Harvest: Harvest outer leaves 50-60 days after sowing. For continuous harvesting, clip outer leaves while keeping the center bud intact, allowing the plant to produce more leaves over time. Dwarf Siberian Kale can be harvested continuously for several weeks if the center bud remains undamaged.

More About Dwarf Siberian Kale

Despite its common name and appearance, Siberian kales are not the standard European kale that we are all accustomed to.  Russo-Siberian kales (Brassica napus) are closely related to rutabagas and tend to be more tender and milder in flavor than the European kales (Brassica oleracea), which are close relatives of broccoli and cabbage.  Siberian kales developed in Northern Europe and Northern Asia and are tolerant to both cold and heat.  They are a great vegetable to grow over winter in our area, as they tend to become sweeter when exposed to frost.

Culinary tip: Add a little salt and massage any variety of kale for two minutes before adding to salads.  This tenderizes the leaves, lessens the bitterness, and makes for a sweeter and tastier salad.

Ribollita – Tuscan Kale Bean Soup

 Serves: 4-6    Prep time: 10 minutes   Cook Time: 50 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of kale  
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 1 carrot, chopped 
• 1 celery stalk, chopped 
• 1 tbsp. of minced garlic 
• 2 cups cooked or 14 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 
• 1 15 oz. can of whole peeled or diced tomatoes 
• 4 cups of vegetable stock 
• ½ cup of parmesan cheese 
• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes 
• 2 cups of bread diced into 2-inch pieces 
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions:

1. Wash the kale, remove leaves from stems, and roughly chop. 
2. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, and saute until they’re soft (about 8 – 10 minutes) 
3. Add the kale tomatoes with juices and cook until kale is wilted (about 8 – 10 minutes) 
4. Add the cannellini beans, parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 – 20 minutes. 
5. Add the bread and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the bread is breaking apart. 
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Craft: Kale Anthotype (Light-sensitive prints)

You’ll Need:

• Kale leaves
• Vinegar
• Blender/mortar and pestle
• Cheesecloth or cotton cloth (old shirt or sock)
• Foam brush/sponge (to paint)
• Paper
• Picture frame (optional)

Instructions:

1. Blend kale leaves into a fine paste. Add a few drops of vinegar for more vibrant color.
2. Scoop mixture into the cloth and squeeze the liquid into a container.
3. In low light, use a sponge to paint emulsion onto printer paper. Let dry in a dark place, like a shoe box.
4. The paper is now photo-sensitive and will fade when exposed to light. Make a print by placing objects on top of the paper to block sunlight from hitting the emulsion. The blocked areas will remain dark and the exposed areas will fade, leaving you with an image.
5. Kale anthotypes will need to remain in sunlight for 3-72 hours to develop. A picture frame can help keep the objects and paper together so they don’t shift.
6. Since art and prints can fade over time, consider scanning or photographing your work to create a lasting digital copy.