Kale Seeds

Tronchuda Portuguese Kale is a remarkable heirloom vegetable that bridges the gap between cabbage and kale, producing large, broad blue-green leaves with thick, succulent white stems and prominent creamy-white ribs. Native to Portugal, where it has been grown for centuries, this unique member of the cabbage family is famous for its exceptional tenderness, sweet flavor, and versatility in the kitchen. Unlike traditional curly kale, Tronchuda develops smooth, cabbage-like leaves that remain mild and delicious even as they mature. It is the essential ingredient in Portugal's famous Caldo Verde soup and has become increasingly popular among gardeners worldwide for its outstanding flavor, heat tolerance, and long harvest season.

Why Grow This Variety?

Tronchuda offers gardeners one of the longest harvest seasons of any leafy green. Individual leaves may be harvested continuously for months while the central growing point continues producing new foliage. The thick white stems are just as edible as the leaves, adding sweetness and crunch to soups and cooked dishes. The plants tolerate both heat and light frosts remarkably well, making them productive during much of the growing season. Easy to grow and exceptionally nutritious, Tronchuda deserves a place in every vegetable garden.

Flavor Profile

Tronchuda has a wonderfully mild, slightly sweet flavor that is noticeably more delicate than traditional curly kale. The broad leaves remain tender even when mature, while the thick white stems become surprisingly sweet after cooking. Light frosts further enhance the flavor by increasing the natural sugar content of the leaves.

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
• Plant Type: Cool-season annual or biennial
• Days to Harvest: Approximately 60-75 days
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
• Soil pH: 6.2-7.5
• Plant Height: 18-30 inches
• Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
• Spacing: 18-24 inches between plants
• Water: Moderate; maintain consistent soil moisture

Sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring or late summer for fall and winter harvests. Tronchuda thrives in cool weather but tolerates heat better than many traditional kales. Harvest outer leaves individually as needed while allowing the central growing point to continue producing. Rich soil and regular watering encourage rapid growth and exceptionally tender leaves.

Harvest & Storage

Begin harvesting outer leaves once they reach usable size while allowing younger inner leaves to continue developing. This cut-and-come-again harvesting method allows plants to remain productive for months. Whole plants may also be harvested if desired. Fresh leaves store well in the refrigerator for one to two weeks and freeze beautifully after blanching.

Seedman Notes

Tronchuda Portuguese Kale is one of those heirloom vegetables that surprises nearly everyone who grows it. Gardeners expecting ordinary kale quickly discover an exceptionally tender, sweet, and productive plant that keeps producing long after many leafy greens have finished. Whether you're preparing authentic Portuguese cuisine or simply looking for one of the finest all-purpose cooking greens available, Tronchuda offers outstanding flavor, remarkable nutrition, and dependable harvests throughout the cool season.

Lacinato Kale, also known as Dinosaur Kale, Tuscan Kale, Cavolo Nero, Black Kale, or Italian Kale, is one of the oldest and most prized heirloom kales in the world. Native to Tuscany, Italy, this elegant variety produces long, narrow, deeply textured blue-green leaves with a distinctive pebbled appearance that resembles dinosaur skin—hence its popular nickname. Unlike many curly kales, Lacinato offers exceptionally tender leaves with a rich, slightly sweet flavor and very mild bitterness. It has been a cornerstone of traditional Italian cuisine for centuries and remains one of the finest kale varieties for home gardens, gourmet cooking, and nutrient-rich harvests.

Why Grow This Variety?

Lacinato Kale is widely considered one of the best-tasting kales available. The upright plants produce beautiful, heavily savoyed leaves over an exceptionally long harvest season, allowing gardeners to pick fresh greens for months. The flavor actually improves after light frosts, becoming sweeter and more tender. Its outstanding cold tolerance, excellent disease resistance, and continuous harvest habit make it one of the most dependable leafy vegetables in the garden.

Flavor Profile

Lacinato Kale has a rich, earthy flavor with subtle sweetness and far less bitterness than many curly kale varieties. The tender leaves have a pleasant texture that softens beautifully when cooked while remaining substantial enough for hearty soups, sautés, and salads. Cool autumn weather further enhances the sweetness, making fall harvests especially delicious.

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
• Plant Type: Cool-season annual or biennial
• Days to Harvest: Approximately 55-70 days
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil
• Soil pH: 6.2-7.5
• Plant Height: 24-36 inches
• Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
• Spacing: 18-24 inches between plants
• Water: Moderate; maintain consistent moisture for tender leaf production

Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for fall and winter harvests. Lacinato thrives in cool temperatures and tolerates frost exceptionally well. Harvest the outer leaves first while allowing the central growing point to continue producing fresh foliage throughout the season. Rich soil and regular watering encourage rapid growth and beautifully tender leaves.

Harvest & Storage

Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach 10 to 12 inches long. Picking individual leaves encourages continuous production for many months. Frost improves flavor by converting stored starches into natural sugars. Fresh leaves store well in the refrigerator for one to two weeks and freeze exceptionally well after blanching.

Black Magic Kale is a premium Italian-type Lacinato kale bred to improve upon the classic heirloom with darker foliage, faster growth, greater uniformity, and exceptional cold tolerance. This outstanding variety produces elegant, upright plants with long, heavily savoyed leaves of deep blue-green to nearly black coloration, giving rise to its dramatic name. The leaves are exceptionally tender with a rich, sweet flavor that becomes even more delicious after exposure to cool autumn weather. Combining gourmet culinary quality with excellent garden performance, Black Magic has quickly become one of the finest kale varieties available for home gardeners, market growers, and chefs alike.

Why Grow This Variety?

Black Magic delivers everything gardeners love about traditional Lacinato Kale while offering improved vigor, darker foliage, and excellent uniformity. The plants mature quickly, produce abundant harvests over a long season, and continue thriving through cool weather and light frosts. Individual leaves can be harvested continuously for months, making Black Magic one of the most productive leafy vegetables in the garden. Its elegant appearance also makes it equally attractive in edible landscapes and ornamental vegetable gardens.

Flavor Profile

Black Magic offers a rich, earthy flavor with noticeably less bitterness than many traditional kale varieties. The tender leaves have a pleasant sweetness that intensifies after cool autumn nights, while the smooth, succulent texture makes them excellent both raw and cooked. The leaves remain tender even when fairly mature, making this one of the finest kales for gourmet cooking.

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. acephala
• Plant Type: Cool-season annual or biennial
• Days to Harvest: Approximately 55-65 days
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil
• Soil pH: 6.2-7.5
• Plant Height: 24-36 inches
• Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
• Spacing: 18-24 inches between plants
• Water: Moderate; maintain even soil moisture for continuous leaf production

Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for autumn harvests. Black Magic thrives during cool weather and develops its finest flavor after exposure to light frosts. Harvest outer leaves regularly while leaving the growing point intact to encourage months of continuous production. Rich soil amended with compost produces rapid growth and exceptionally tender leaves.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest individual outer leaves as they reach 10 to 14 inches long, allowing younger inner leaves to continue developing. This cut-and-come-again method keeps plants productive for an extended season. Fresh leaves store well in the refrigerator for one to two weeks and freeze exceptionally well after blanching for long-term use.

Dwarf Siberian Kale is a rugged heirloom variety renowned for its exceptional cold hardiness, compact growth, and dependable production of tender blue-green leaves. Originally selected in the harsh climates of northern Europe and Russia, this hardy kale thrives where many other vegetables struggle, often remaining productive well into winter beneath snow and freezing temperatures. The compact plants produce abundant, slightly crinkled leaves with a mild, sweet flavor that becomes even more delicious after frost. Easy to grow and highly nutritious, Dwarf Siberian Kale is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking dependable cool-season harvests and one of the toughest leafy greens available.

Why Grow This Variety?

Dwarf Siberian Kale is one of the most cold-tolerant vegetables you can grow. Its compact plants fit easily into raised beds and smaller gardens while producing a continuous supply of tender leaves for months. Unlike some kale varieties that become coarse with age, Dwarf Siberian remains tender and flavorful through repeated harvests. Gardeners in northern climates especially appreciate its ability to survive temperatures that would destroy many other leafy vegetables.

Flavor Profile

Dwarf Siberian Kale has a pleasantly mild, slightly sweet flavor with very little bitterness. The tender leaves become noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost as the plant converts stored starches into natural sugars. Both young leaves and mature foliage are excellent for fresh eating or cooking.

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Brassica napus var. pabularia
• Plant Type: Cool-season annual or biennial
• Days to Harvest: Approximately 50-60 days
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
• Soil pH: 6.2-7.5
• Plant Height: 18-24 inches
• Plant Spread: 18-24 inches
• Spacing: 18 inches between plants
• Water: Moderate; keep evenly moist for tender leaves

Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for fall and winter harvests. Dwarf Siberian Kale grows rapidly during cool weather and tolerates freezing temperatures with ease. Harvest the outer leaves regularly while allowing the growing point to continue producing fresh foliage throughout the season. Rich soil amended with compost encourages vigorous growth and continuous harvests.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest outer leaves whenever they reach usable size, allowing younger center leaves to continue developing. Regular harvesting encourages months of continued production. The leaves become sweeter after frost and can often be harvested throughout winter in many climates. Fresh leaves store well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks and freeze exceptionally well after blanching.