Brassica oleracea Kale Frost Byte F1

Kale Frost Byte F1 is an attractive and decorative hybrid variety. This kale produces textured and frilly leaves, extensively white in colour, which contrast with those that mature with age, white on the inside, green on the outside. In the kitchen, the leaves are delicious, with a sweet and mild flavour from the lamina to the stalk. With very high nutritional values, kale adds crunch and taste to autumn and winter dishes. To extend the harvest, pick the bottom leaves first. Resistant to cold and heat, it offers a long harvesting period from September to January. Sowing takes place from March to June, followed by transplanting into light soil with constant and rich moisture.

Kale is a vegetable plant native to Europe. Like all cabbages, they belong to the large Brassicaceae family and have the Latin name Brassica oleracea acephala sabellica. The term acephala refers to the fact that they do not form a head or 'heart'.

These cabbages have large fibrous and very curly leaves, ranging in colour from pale green to very dark green, sometimes slightly bluish. They have the particularity of being highly resistant to cold, diseases and even caterpillars. It should be noted that these cabbages are particularly beautiful, especially under a light frost... to the point that some very small varieties are only grown to decorate autumn and winter planters.

The Autumn Kale is a biennial plant grown as an annual that is full of qualities, both in terms of taste and nutrition. With a pronounced flavour, it is mainly consumed cooked, in soups, but also braised or stuffed. It is an excellent winter vegetable.

From a dietary point of view, it is remarkable: it has low energy value, but it is very rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, K, B2, B6 and B9, and also contains a lot of fibre and minerals such as calcium, manganese and potassium. It also provides, in smaller but significant proportions, copper, iron, magnesium and vitamins E, B1 and B3.

In the vegetable garden, Autumn Kale has the same requirements as other cabbages: deep soil, excellent manure and regular moisture. It thrives in sunny conditions and generally enjoys cool and rainy climates.

NB: This variety is labeled F1 for 'F1 hybrid' because it is a variety resulting from the crossing of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly flavourful and/or early while being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticised or wrongly associated with GM foods, F1 hybrid seeds are interesting both for their homogeneity and their resistance, but unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to subsequent generations: it will therefore not be possible to recover the seeds for later sowing.

Harvest: It is harvested leaf by leaf, according to needs. In spring, you can also harvest the floral shoots before they bloom and consume them like broccoli.

Storage: Kale can be kept in the refrigerator for several days. It also freezes very well after being blanched in salted boiling water. Winter varieties can also be left in the ground.

Gardener's tip: Don't forget the flowers! Even though the vegetable garden is primarily a garden for producing quality vegetables, it is always interesting to plant flowers in it. Firstly, and even if the beauty of certain vegetables like Kale is enough on its own, for the aesthetic pleasure they provide, but also to repel pests and attract valuable pollinators. So, don't hesitate to plant, in the middle of the rows or along the edges, Gaillardias, Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, Nasturtiums or even a beautiful aromatic variety like Dill. However, be cautious of certain plants, although very useful like Borage, which tends to reseed abundantly in spaces dedicated to cultivation.