VegetableKale
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale is the premier cold-weather kale, a heirloom variety bred to handle harsh conditions that would stop other vegetables in their tracks. Its deeply curled blue-green leaves reach 12-18 inches tall and are ready to harvest in 50-59 days, making it surprisingly quick for a winter crop. Hardy from zones 5-10, this tenacious plant thrives in cool springs and can withstand several inches of snow after hard autumn frosts. Yet despite its frost tolerance, Vates Blue Scotch has a notable quirk: it dislikes heat and will bolt to seed if summer temperatures climb too high. Gardeners in colder climates who appreciate a reliable, proven variety will find this a rewarding choice.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
5-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Consistent Moisture
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
5-10
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
Vates Blue Scotch earned its reputation as the premier curled kale variety for one simple reason: it actually thrives in the conditions most vegetables avoid. While many kales falter in cool weather, this heirloom actively prefers partial shade and cold springs, even shrugging off snow. The deeply crimped leaves develop their best flavor and texture in cold soil, making fall and early spring harvests superior to summer picking. Its ability to handle frost damage gracefully, combined with a compact 12-18 inch frame and fast 50-59 day maturity, makes it exceptionally practical for small spaces and short growing seasons.
Common Uses
Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale is grown almost exclusively for its deeply curled leaves, which are harvested and prepared much like other culinary kales. The tender young leaves are eaten raw in salads or lightly massaged with oil to soften their texture, while mature leaves are typically cooked in soups, stir-fries, braised dishes, or stripped from their ribs and crisped into chips. The frilly texture of the curled leaves makes them particularly appealing for presentation and holds dressings and seasonings well in both raw and cooked preparations.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost or 8-10 weeks before your intended fall planting date. Maintain soil temperature between 65-75°F for germination. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days before moving them outdoors.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost, spacing plants 18 inches apart with 24 inches between rows. For a fall crop, transplant in mid to late summer, timing the transplant so plants mature as temperatures cool. Vates Blue Scotch thrives in cool weather, so fall planting typically produces superior results.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring or mid-summer for fall harvest. Sow seeds and thin seedlings to 18-inch spacing once they develop true leaves.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting when leaves reach usable size, typically 50-59 days after planting, though the timeline can extend slightly in cool conditions. Harvest outer leaves first by snapping or cutting them from the base of the plant, allowing the central crown to continue producing. Young, tender leaves can be harvested at any time and are particularly tender in cool weather. The plant continues producing throughout fall and into early winter, with flavor actually improving after exposure to frost. In frost-hardy zones, mature plants survive hard freezes and can be harvested even after snow.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica oleracea var. acephalla
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)GL (W)
History & Origin
“Vates Blue Scotch Curled Kale carries Scottish heritage in its name and character, developed as a response to the unpredictable, cold-weather demands of northern European growing seasons. This heirloom variety emerged from centuries of selecting kales that could survive hard frosts and produce reliably when other crops had failed. Its designation as a heirloom reflects a lineage preserved and passed through generations of gardeners and seed savers who recognized that this particular strain possessed something special: the ability to thrive where most vegetables simply could not. The variety represents a deliberate accumulation of cold-hardiness traits, making it one of the few crops that gardeners could depend on to provide fresh greens well into winter.”