Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Vates' Kale
 
Sub-Category: None
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Brassica oleraea. Standard kale, blue-green, finely curled, 12 to 14 inch leaves on 15 inch plants. Slow to bolt. Also known by many variation on Dwarf Blue Curled Vates as well as Dwarf Blue Scotch, Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch, Blue Curled Scotch. About 30 days to baby kale and about 55 days full size maturity.
Days To Maturity: 30-55
Seed Sources: Fruition Seeds - updated in 2019
Burpee Seeds - updated in 2019
Fedco Seeds - updated in 2019
Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2019

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.2 Stars)Overall
Taste: (3.9 Stars)Taste
Yield: (4.2 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.6 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 28

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 11/26/2019 by Saratoga MG - An experienced gardener

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Saratoga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Compact plants with dark green blue leaves. It germinated well, but experienced critter damage early in the season. It grew well after that with a very mild flavor, raw in a salad with a decent crunch.
 

Reviewed on 11/24/2019 by Wayne County CCE - An experienced gardener

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Wayne, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Grew nicely, produced well.
 

Reviewed on 11/22/2019 by Tompkins MGV - An experienced gardener

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Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Grew well, tall plants with curly leaves. No pest or disease problems. Taste OK.
 

Reviewed on 11/21/2019 by CCEYates - An experienced gardener

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Yates, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The woodchucks adored this. We unfortunately were unable to taste it but what we saw before the varmints feasted looked beautiful. It germinated very well.
 

Reviewed on 11/11/2019 by Albany County MGs - An experienced gardener

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Albany, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Love this kale. Had trouble with flea beetles, they devoured them as soon as they germinated so i tried again with seedlings and then it did well. It\'s very cold hardy and tasty, one of my favorites.
 

Reviewed on 11/10/2019 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener

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Nassau, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Compact plants that performed well, leaves had some holes in them but overall were free of blight and pests. Good taste.
 

Reviewed on 11/08/2019 by Susan-CCESchuyler - An experienced gardener

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Schuyler, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

medium yield
 

Reviewed on 10/08/2019 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

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Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Kale is easier to grow in our climate. This variety performed as well as other kale in our garden.
 

Reviewed on 09/25/2019 by CCE Oneida County - An intermediate gardener

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Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Grew well.
 

Reviewed on 09/25/2019 by Food bank vvtg - An experienced gardener

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Erie, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Grow very well and quickly, seemed disease free but was somewhat tough when cooked
 

Reviewed on 09/15/2019 by CCE Putnam - An intermediate gardener

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Putnam, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted seeds 5/8, germinated 5/15. On 6/5, from 16 seeds, 4 healthy plants. 6/8: Some holes in leaves. Started harvesting on 7/10. Still thriving as of 9/15, with total yield of 5 1/4 lbs. so far. This is not our final evaluation. Final entry 11/24: Still thriving.
 

Reviewed on 07/29/2019 by nmeohen1 - An experienced gardener

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Cortland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This kale just keeps coming. It is tasty and easy to grow,
 

Reviewed on 07/26/2019 by CCE Rockland - An experienced gardener

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Rockland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Compact plant with curly leaves which are tender and tasty. Still going strong in late July.
 

Reviewed on 01/12/2017 by Peggy\'s patch - An intermediate gardener

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Crawford, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Always does well and I\'ll bet the most cold-hardy variety out there. Overwinters with sub-zero temps.
 

Reviewed on 11/16/2012 by Roger1963 - An experienced gardener

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Schuyler, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Still going and looks great. Nice size and pest free.
 

Reviewed on 11/01/2012 by CCE Seneca County - An intermediate gardener

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Seneca, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Nice looking variety but had flea beetles that ate a lot!
 

Reviewed on 10/30/2012 by Chautauqua CCE - An experienced gardener

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Chautauqua, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Amazing flavor and a nice compact plant. Could grow amongst other plants well.
 

Reviewed on 10/29/2012 by Roots & Wisdom - An experienced gardener

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Schenectady, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Beautiful kale
 

Reviewed on 10/28/2012 by CCE Oneida County - An intermediate gardener

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Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Smaller plant that would do well in a small garden. Tight curled leaves that are most tender when pick before getting too large.
 

Reviewed on 10/22/2012 by nmeohen1 - An experienced gardener

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Cortland, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Pretty tasteless but pretty.
 

Reviewed on 10/17/2012 by Debbie L - An experienced gardener

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Orange, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Very small plants that were not huge producers. Nice flavor.
 

Reviewed on 09/14/2012 by Lois - An experienced gardener

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Wayne, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Proliftic producer- great tasting, Colorful
 

Reviewed on 03/17/2012 by JulsInAZ - An intermediate gardener

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Maricopa, Arizona, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Easy, reliable variety that I plant every year. Good flavor and texture if harvested when leaves are less than 5 inches or so, bigger than that and they become very tough. I cut off the lower leaves and the plant continues to grow new leaves on top - I have some that are over a foot tall and look like little prehistoric trees! Surprisingly, I have plants that are over a year old, having survived 110 plus degree heat with regular watering. Most productive during our mild winters and springs though. Some plants have extra curly leaves and must be washed carefully to remove any unwanted guests.
 

Reviewed on 12/22/2009 by containergardener - An experienced gardener

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Los Angeles, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Here in southern California, dwarf blue curled scotch kale is tough and not very tasty, even when harvested in winter. It does not compare with the much finer, although less productive, Siberian kales. But it certainly is productive and easy to grow.
 

Reviewed on 10/31/2008 by bayfarmer - A novice gardener

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Alameda, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Great yield. Sturdy, stocky plants that produce and stay strong through various conditions. Grown in-ground and in small containers. Hardy and doesn't mind a little neglect. Taste is excellent; slightly sweet and earthy. Texture is actually somewhat crisp, not fibrous.
 

Reviewed on 07/15/2008 by louis quill - An experienced gardener

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Cayuga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

excellent yielding variety i live in the north and this plant actually survived till december.
 

Reviewed on 01/10/2008 by Ottawa Gardener - An intermediate gardener

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Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I hesitate to give it the full five as I have only grown it one season but it was hardier than the Russian Red in my garden and I had no problem with aphids as a previous reviewer referred to. It was vigorous and produced well, much better than the Russian Red.
 

Reviewed on 05/13/2006 by farmerdill - An experienced gardener

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Richmond, Georgia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This was the standard curly kale from my youth. Very short plant that grows well. I prefer it to Vates. Main drawback is its attractiveness to aphids in late winter. Difficult to remove them from the tight "curls".
 




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