Kale, Simone Broadleaf (Organic)
Brassica napus. 25 days baby, 55 days full.
We present to you – Simone Broadleaf! Our second release coming out of the Gulag Stars kale population. Simone Broadleaf has a strong thematic character containing all tasty broadleaf plants of various colors and leaf edge waves. Some plants are dark green and glazed, others are light green and silvery, while still others are tinged with purple or shades of red. If you are looking for a kale that is a breeze to process in the kitchen and/or a kale that is a beast in the garden, Simone Broadleaf is for you. This participatory breeding project is inspired by the Culinary Breeding Network and we are happy to have been working with Lane Selman and chef Tim Wastell. We separated out 15 single plant lines of Gulag Stars kale and discovered several monster lines that were shockingly vigorous. After several collaborative selections, we bulked the biggest and best plants into a variable population. Tim Wastell coined the name and we have kept it to honor all the great Simones out there, from Simone de Beauvoir to Nina Simone.
Learn more about the Culinary Breeding Network.
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.
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