Kale, Madeley (Organic)
Brassica oleracea. 30 days baby, 60 days full.
An extremely vigorous flat leaf, heirloom green kale from England. Hardy, tender and sweet. This kale frequently outgrows every other kale we plant in the summer, and out-produces most other kales through the winter as well. Multiple growth tips produce plentiful sprouting kale raab in spring to fill the hunger gap. Justin Huhn of Mano Farm in Ojai, California, writes, “Madeley really is the star, just producing a ridiculous amount of food. Madeley kale is the backbone of our CSA.” Related to Thousand Headed kale. Given to The Seed Ambassadors Project by the Heritage Seed Library in England.
Seed produced by Empowered Flowers in Canby, Oregon.
As required by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Washington Crucifer Quarantine, all Brassica family seed lots have been tested and found negative for blackleg (Phoma lingam) by an approved, certified lab.
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Sow indoors with good potting soil February through September. Transplant about 3-4 weeks after sprouting. In our region, kale can grow through the winter without protection, and survives best when sown in June or early July for this purpose. Alternatively, direct sow March through September.
Seed Saving
To maintain genetic diversity and prevent inbreeding, collect seeds from 10 or more plants of B. napus varieties, or 30 or more plants of B. oleracea. Cut seed heads when pods are dry, place on tarp, thresh by hand or by dancing. Winnow and screen to clean. Isolate from other Brassicas of the same species by ½ mile.
Paula D. –
Where did you grow this variety? Canada
Madeley is hugely productive here in central Alberta. I am impressed with this variety. I like to freeze 100 or so packages of kale for the winter, and like the taste of this one. Also I gave 12 plants to a friend who harvested large amounts twice a week off hers, often by the garbage bag full.
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Kristina Hicks-Hamblin (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? Mountain West US
We tend to not have the best results with kale in our high desert climate (NE Utah). We planted several varieties this year, and Madeley was the star of the show, surviving an onslaught of both weeds and grasshoppers with flying colors. Now that the garden has been weeded and the birds have started doing their part with the grasshoppers, our Madeley is absolutely gorgeous: big, bushy, and delicious. This will be our go to kale from here on out. Thanks Adaptive Seeds!!!
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sbk465 (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? Washington
New favorite by far! The description above is 100% accurate. Huge, tender, delicious leaves on plants that produce at a fast pace. They grow lower than other varieties (they’re quite squat), which makes winter wind less of an ordeal. Highly recommend!
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redanielson (verified owner) –
Where did you grow this variety? California
Good germination rate and sizeable plants, but for me, this is the least favorite variety Ive ever grown. The leave were a little rough and spikey, not good for fresh eating. In terms of production, it was decent, but since I didnt like the texture, it wasn’t really a selling point for me. I live in the Sacramento valley, so. was looking for something to potentially hold up to the late spring heat, but this wasnt it.
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Michel Lachaume –
Where did you grow this variety? Canada
Where I am, c’ose to Montreal, we grew together 14 kales in a trial garden 4 years ago. We had an infestation of suede midge… Madeley attracted them so much than the others, including ( mostly) flat leaved canbages like PENCA DE CHAVES and COUVE GALEGA and COUCHE TRONCHUDA where left alone. Same thing the year after but with less cultivars… if you grow organic in your neck of the woods Madeley is a very powerfully tool.
Alas it does not mean it works the same way all over the continent do TRY IT…
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