fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[Mother of Chaos]

I personally wouldn't ever grow curly kale, other than maybe for baby leaves for salads. Really the only thing those varieties are good for fishmongers' counter displays. (IMO)

The heirloom Russian and Italian kales would be my first choices from that website.

Italian will be great as fairly big, mature leaves after it's been through a good hard frost- pick before the ribs get too fibrous and woody and you shouldn't need to trim them. It'll be nice just steamed until tender but not soggy; with a bit of butter, or lemon juice and olive oil. You can make a really good winter salad with blanched leaves too.

The russian can be eaten that way too but it'll be even better either as smaller, young leaves or once it's started to flower - small leaves and the flower sprouts they're growing next to should all be great.

I found this collection from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. They supply a lot of wholesalers/ farmers, and sometimes backyard farmers have to wait.

Anyway, I see multiple Russian and Italian kales here:

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=kale&start=0&sz=48&origStart=12

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@fuzzi great idea with the fence! I hope this solves the issue and Caleb, you and the chickens are able to enjoy outdoor spaces.

My dog likes to make a "run by" at my flock's fence. Every once in a while, he can get them to react a little, but they are so used to him, they just watch him and seem to say "Here comes that dog!" They stand there and watch him and discuss him.

@Molpet now I'm lurking Renee's seeds, thanks a lot!
I like Baker's Creek too. Well, just about any seed company I suppose.
We all have different tastes and of course different varieties of veggies have different flavors/textures and uses too.
If you can, get a couple/few different things to try and find what you like best.

I have that 12pod hydroponics thing that was gifted to me. If you have one of those, set it up, "plant" 2-3 varieties and let them grow, then cut leaves and try them out. Kale, Mini Boc Choi, etc. grew really well in mine. Once it warmed slightly enough, I transplanted them outside, then started Tomatoes, which did well.

I had thought I was done after the Tomatoes, but went to buy a few Petunias for a couple of hanging baskets (I and the Hummer's love Petunias). They must have planted them in gold dust. Too expensive! So...I had seeds from year end sale, so started those in the hydroponics thing. Worked out just fine.

Now...I need to get started on my stuff. Maybe I can get all my paperwork done this coming week so I can play a bit.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Kale Rant Tax

 

[kattabelly]

I found this collection from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. They supply a lot of wholesalers/ farmers, and sometimes backyard farmers have to wait.

Anyway, I see multiple Russian and Italian kales here:

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=kale&start=0&sz=48&origStart=12

Aye the market gardeners I know over there pretty much all buy at least some of their seed from Johnny's.

Can't go wrong with the Red Russian and Black Magic, plus the Kalebration mix for baby leaves and a few plants to grow out for winter. (Again IMO.)

Sorry, I have very strong feelings about kale I'll probably be growing a few new varieties this year as part of this project.
Brassica rant tax: