Mamba Kale is a vigorous F1 hybrid Lacinato type that delivers full-sized harvests in just 65 days from transplants. This compact grower thrives across all hardiness zones (1-13) and improves in flavor as temperatures drop, making it a cold-season champion. The deeply textured, dark leaves characteristic of Lacinato kales develop on a plant bred for hybrid vigor, offering consistent, high-quality production from spring through winter.
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Moderate
1-13
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Moderate
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This hybrid Lacinato produces vigorous growth in a compact form, reaching harvestable maturity in two months from transplants. The eating quality actually improves with light frost in late fall, making it one of the few vegetables that rewards patience and cold weather. Its hardiness across all USDA zones means gardeners from Alaska to Hawaii can grow it with confidence.
Mamba Kale is harvested leaf-by-leaf beginning about two months after planting, with individual leaves clipped as needed rather than waiting for the whole head to mature. The deeply wrinkled Lacinato leaves work beautifully in raw salads, braised as a cooked green, or massaged into salads where their texture holds up exceptionally well. The extended harvest window through cold months makes this variety valuable for season-long kitchen access.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors in 50- to 72-cell plug flats or 20-row flats at a rate of 2-3 seeds per cell or 3-4 seeds per inch, pressing seeds 1/4 inch deep into moist soil. Keep soil temperature above 75°F (24°C) until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F (16°C) for vigorous growth. Seedlings will be ready to transplant in 4-6 weeks.
Transplant outdoors when seedlings are 4-6 weeks old, spacing plants 12-18 inches apart in rows 18-36 inches apart. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before final planting. Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil.
Begin harvesting individual leaves about two months after transplanting by clipping them from the plant. This leaf-by-leaf approach allows continuous production rather than a single bulk harvest. The eating quality will improve into late fall with light frost, so plan to extend your harvest period by using row covers or cold frames in milder regions to protect the plant during the coldest months. Late-summer plantings can be wintered in hoophouses or in the open in mild climates.
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