Kale is also known as brown cabbage or kale and is now mainly grown in Central and Western Europe, Africa and North America. Originally it probably comes from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts and, like all types of cabbage, is a descendant of wild cabbage.
also read
- When is the kale harvest time?
- Is Kale Perennial?
- Harvesting kale after the frost?
The kale in the profile
- Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. sabellica L.
- Trivial names: Brown cabbage, Krauskohl, Federkohl (Switzerland), Hochkohl, Winter cabbage, Strunkkohl, Lippische Palme, Oldenburger, Frisian Palme
- Family: cruciferous plants
- sowing: Early May
- Planting month: End of May
- Flowers: small, yellow flowers, blooms in the second year
- Harvest: depending on the type of kale from October to February
- Processing: blanched, boiled, fried, raw, in smoothies, as animal feed
The most important varieties at a glance
In the shops you will find different types of kale, which differ in their shape and color of leaves as well as their frost hardiness and height. Most
Kale varieties will be after the first frost harvested, because then there are less bitter substances and more sugar in the leaves. An exception is the Italian variety Nero di Toscana, which can also be harvested before frost. It is also ideal for growing in pots.| Surname | leaves | Height | Frost hardiness | harvest | miscellaneous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frost macaw | lush green, broad | up to 70cm | frost hardy | from October on | |
| Half-height green curl | dark green, medium strong | 80 to 90cm | middle | October to February | |
| Cadet | dark green, decorative leaves | 60 to 80cm | very frost hardy (up to -22 ° C) | October to February, after frost | |
| Lark tongue | narrow, finely curled, slightly drooping leaves | half height | Well | October to January | |
| Nero di Toscana | Blue-green, dark leaves | half height | low, but heat-resistant | until December, does not need frost | palm-like growth, well suited for growing in pots |
| Red Kale Redbor | dark purple leaves, finely curled | approx. 80cm high | good frost resistance | from September to | loses red color when cooked |
| Westerners winter | finely curled | half height | frost hardy | December to February, after frost | |
| Winnetou | coarsely curled, dark green | up to 80cm | frost hardy | October to February | Post-cultivation of peas, salads or kohlrabi |
| Winter bor | dark green leaves, strongly curled | half height | down to -15 ° C | November to April, after frost |