Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala 'Vates Dwarf Blue Curled'
A compact, cold-hardy kale variety that was specifically bred for both home gardens and commercial production, winning an AAS award for its reliability. The tightly curled, blue-green leaves pack incredible nutrition into a space-saving plant that actually improves in flavor after frost touches the leaves.
Harvest
55-60d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
6–9
USDA hardiness
Height
10-24 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Kale in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
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Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Kale · Zones 6–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | March – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits dry and split when ripe.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Siliqua. Length: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh kale stores best unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 5-7 days at 32-35°F. Remove any damaged leaves before storing as they accelerate spoilage. For longer storage, blanch leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in portions for up to 8 months—perfect for smoothies and soups. Dehydrate young, tender leaves at 125°F for crispy kale chips that store in airtight containers for weeks. Vates' sturdy texture also makes it excellent for lacto-fermentation; massage chopped leaves with salt and ferment like sauerkraut for a nutritious, probiotic-rich preserve that keeps refrigerated for months.
History & Origin
Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Kale earned its reputation through rigorous testing, winning the prestigious All-America Selections (AAS) award for its exceptional performance across diverse growing conditions. Developed in the mid-20th century specifically to address the needs of both commercial growers and home gardeners, this variety represents careful selection for compact growth habit, cold hardiness, and reliable production.
The name 'Vates' comes from the Virginia Truck Experiment Station, where much of the breeding work was conducted. Plant breeders focused on creating a kale that would maintain the nutritional powerhouse qualities of traditional varieties while offering better uniformity and disease resistance. This breeding program emphasized practical traits: plants that wouldn't take up excessive garden space, leaves that held their quality longer after harvest, and exceptional cold tolerance that extended growing seasons.
As an AAS winner, Vates helped popularize kale in American gardens during an era when the crop was primarily considered livestock feed. Its success contributed to the modern kale renaissance, proving that well-bred varieties could deliver both nutrition and garden performance.
Advantages
- +Attracts: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
- +Wildlife value: It serves as a host plant for butterflies, moths, flies, sawflies and beetles.
- +Edible: The foliage is edible raw or cooked but when cooked can emit an unpleasant odor.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cabbage worms, repels cucumber beetles
Onions
Repels cabbage worms, aphids, and cabbage maggots with strong scent
Garlic
Deters cabbage loopers, aphids, and flea beetles
Carrots
Helps break up soil for kale roots, minimal competition for nutrients
Lettuce
Provides ground cover to retain soil moisture, harvested before kale needs full space
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize cabbage worms
Marigolds
Repels nematodes and general garden pests, attracts beneficial insects
Chives
Repels aphids and improves growth and flavor of brassicas
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
May stunt kale growth and both plants compete for similar nutrients
Strawberries
Kale can inhibit strawberry growth and both attract similar pests
Pole Beans
Can shade kale excessively and compete for soil nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168421)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent cold tolerance, good resistance to bolting
Common Pests
Aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles
Diseases
Black rot, downy mildew, white rust