PURPLE SOFT LEAF KALE – GREEN SOFT LEAF KALE & PURPLE VEINS

PURPLE SOFT LEAF KALE – GREEN SOFT LEAF KALE & PURPLE VEINS (CERTIFIED ORGANIC)

A unique kale developed at Metchosin Farm: large, tender, deep green leaves with purple veins, mild and sweet flavor, especially after frost.

Description

Purple Soft Leaf Kale is an original variety resulting from crosses between several types of kale selected for their sweetness, hardiness, and tender texture. Its large, soft leaves, marked with purple veins, make it an exceptional kale for fresh salads, soups, stir-fries, and smoothies.

Perfect for coastal gardens and cool climates, it excels in winter cultivation and offers reliable production all year round in temperate regions.

Where to grow Purple Soft Leaf Kale

Suitable for zones 3 to 9, it grows in full sun or partial shade, in garden beds as well as in containers. It thrives particularly in cool, humid climates and can overwinter in mild coastal regions.

Kale has been cultivated for centuries in cold climates for its nutritional value and resilience. This variety was developed at Metchosin Farm over more than a decade, combining the sweetness of traditional varieties and the tenderness sought for fresh or cooked consumption.

Information for the Canadian climate

• Zones 8-9: direct sowing in spring or fall; harvest possible all winter.
• Zones 5-7: sowing in spring and late summer; protection recommended for winter.
• Zones 3-4: indoor sowing then transplanting; use row covers to extend the season.

How to grow and harvest Purple Soft Leaf Kale

• Sowing: 0.5 cm deep; spacing of 30–45 cm.
• Watering: keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods.
• Harvest: harvest young leaves for salads or wait until after frost for a sweeter flavor.
• Maintenance: mulch to retain moisture; remove old leaves to stimulate growth.

Tips for storing your seeds

• Allow plants to overwinter so they flower in the second year.
• Harvest dry and brittle pods.
• Extract seeds and store them in a cool, dry, dark place.
• Viability: 4 to 5 years.

Organic certification

Certified organic by: Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)