History
Blue Vates Kale has been a staple in American and European kitchen gardens for well over a century. Developed as an improved selection of the ancient Scotch kale family, Blue Vates became a favorite among market gardeners in the early 20th century for its compact, uniform growth and exceptional cold tolerance. Its open-pollinated heritage means every seed you plant carries the same reliable genetics passed down through generations of home gardeners and small farms — untouched by modern hybridization.
Plant Profile
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Days to Maturity: 55–60 days
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Plant Size: Compact, 12–18 inches tall and wide — ideal for raised beds and smaller gardens
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Leaf Size: Medium to large, deeply curled and ruffled, blue-green in color
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Plant Type: Open-pollinated, non-GMO heirloom
Flavor Profile
Blue Vates Kale delivers a robust, earthy flavor with a pleasantly mild bitterness that mellows beautifully after cooking. Raw leaves are hearty and slightly peppery — perfect for massaged kale salads. After a frost, the leaves sweeten noticeably as the plant converts starches to sugars, making fall and winter harvests especially flavorful. One of the most versatile kales for both raw and cooked applications.
Growth Type & Harvest Yields
Blue Vates is a cut-and-come-again crop, meaning you harvest outer leaves continuously while the plant keeps producing from the center. A single plant can yield fresh greens for months. In mild climates, it will overwinter and produce into early spring. Expect a generous, sustained harvest from a relatively compact footprint — making it one of the most productive greens per square foot in the garden.
Disease Resistance
- Good tolerance to downy mildew and common leaf spot
- Naturally resistant to many common brassica pests when grown in healthy, well-amended soil
- Cold hardiness down to approximately 10–15°F makes it one of the most frost-tolerant kale varieties available
- Tip: Rotate brassica crops annually to minimize clubroot and other soil-borne disease pressure
Growing Tips & Planting Dimensions
- Spacing: 12–18 inches between plants, rows 18–24 inches apart
- Sow depth: ¼ to ½ inch deep
- Germination: 5–10 days at soil temps of 45–85°F (optimal 65–75°F)
- Full sun preferred; tolerates partial shade, especially in warmer climates
- Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture
- Side-dress with compost or balanced fertilizer mid-season to sustain heavy leaf production
- Water consistently — drought stress can cause bitterness and bolting
When to Plant
Direct sow 4–6 weeks before your last frost date for a spring crop, or 8–10 weeks before your first fall frost for a fall and winter harvest. Can also be started indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost and transplanted when seedlings reach 4–6 inches tall. Kale thrives in cool weather and is one of the few vegetables that actually improves in flavor after a hard frost. Find your frost dates and hardiness zone at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Companion Plants & Mutual Benefits
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Dill & Chamomile — attract beneficial insects that prey on aphids and cabbage worms
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Nasturtiums — act as a trap crop, drawing aphids away from kale
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Garlic & Onions — repel aphids, cabbage loopers, and other common brassica pests
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Beets — compatible root crop that doesn't compete for the same nutrients
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Avoid planting near: other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) in the same bed — they share pests and diseases and compete for nutrients
How to Enjoy
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Raw: Massage leaves with olive oil and lemon for a tender, flavorful salad base
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Sautéed: Wilt with garlic and olive oil for a simple, nutritious side dish
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Soups & Stews: Stir into minestrone, white bean soup, or potato soup in the last few minutes of cooking
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Smoothies & Juicing: Blend with fruit for a nutrient-dense green smoothie
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Chips: Toss with olive oil and sea salt, bake at 300°F until crisp — a crowd favorite
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Freezing: Blanch and freeze for year-round use in cooked dishes
Why Gardeners Love Blue Vates Kale
- One of the most cold-hardy kale varieties — keeps producing when other crops have long since quit
- Compact, uniform plants fit easily into raised beds, containers, and small garden plots
- Cut-and-come-again harvesting means months of fresh greens from a single planting
- Flavor that genuinely improves with frost — a rare and rewarding garden trait
- Open-pollinated and non-GMO — save your own seeds year after year
- A true heirloom with over a century of proven performance in home gardens
Harvest Tips
- Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants reach 8–10 inches tall — never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at once
- Always harvest from the bottom up, leaving the central growing tip intact to encourage continued production
- Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and moisture content is highest
- After a frost, wait 24–48 hours before harvesting — cold converts starches to sugars for the sweetest flavor
- Store harvested leaves in a damp paper towel inside a sealed bag in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days
Order Today
Add Blue Vates Heirloom Kale Seeds to your garden this season and enjoy one of the most reliable, cold-hardy greens you can grow. Whether you're planting a spring crop or stocking your fall garden, Blue Vates delivers season after season. Choose your pack size below and start growing today.
