Kale from Portugal. Have to see these pictures!

[WatchMeShove]

Someone I know brought these Kale seeds from Portugal and they are one of the coolest plants I have ever seen, they grow over ten feet tall. I would like to trade some seeds, these seeds sprout very easily, within a week and grow with no trouble whatsoever. They also can take the cold weather down to 32*, and they actually thrive in cool weather, but grow in the sun also. These pictures I have taken are in my friends backyard from the actual Kale seeds that I would like to swap. I am looking for any seeds out of the ordinary or something that is different or fun to grow. I'm open to any possibilities so let me know what seeds you would like to swap. This Kale also tastes great, I make kale chips all the time and there are many other possibilities. As you can see in the stalk the rough part of it is all the kale leaves that have been pulled off, I'm sure if you left them all you would have some sort of bush, but eating the lower leaves sort of turns it into a tree.
[img]https://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/watchmeshove/photo24-1.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/watchmeshove/photo23-1.jpg[/img]

[mrsgreenthumbs]

Ohhhh I'm so jealous! That is too cool! Hope you get something cool to trade for that!

[Ozark Lady]

I agree, Mrsgreenthumbs, it makes me wish that I had better luck with the cool season crops.
Wonder how it would grow during the winter! Or winter sown to come up in spring.
What is Kale chips? Matter of fact, what does kale taste like?
Awesome plant and photos of it!

[WatchMeShove]

I've been told that it is actually best to plant the seeds in fall, and have them sprout right before winter. (this is what we do) Over winter, they grow fairly slow but the roots grow wild during the cold months. Then when spring comes around the roots, which have now stored lots of energy, make the top foliage grow at a faster rate. A lot of vegetables are better when planted before winter, I guess it all depends on how cold your area gets though. These plants in the picture are not even two years old, they are very fast growers. Kale chips are pieces of the kale leaf sprinkled with olive oil and salt baked to make chips. I don't know how to explain what kale tastes like but people describe it almost to taste like cabbage.

[Ozark Lady]

I can overwinter cole crops, like cabbage, broccoli, and brussels and bring them to seed the second year.
But, tender perennials like peppers, it is inside or dead.
But, I did try overwintering tobacco plants in the garden, they may be as dead as my peppers, we will see. The roots are firmly attached, at least to me, that usually means they aren't dead, but time will tell.

Kale chips, that sounds interesting... wonder if it would work with cabbage?

[mrsgreenthumbs]

Ugh, wish we got snow here. Instead every thing just looks sad and weepy and the wind blow's. This next winter I'm going to keep growing inside my hoop house so I'll go visit the snow and wish we had a winter wonderland at home.

[Ozark Lady]

Mrsgreenthumb, be glad that you don't have snow.

We normally get 3 days of snow whether we want it or not. With only 3 days, it is still fun. But, last year, we got 8-9 weeks of snow, not fun at all. Not normal for us, and not appreciated.

It is much better to go visit the snow and leave it when you are tired of it!
We are pretty much past the snow season here, but, and here is the bad side, we are just entering the ice season. Now we will get alot of rain, and if the temps drop... it will be sleet not snow... and sleet breaks trees etc.

Most of us who do get snow or ice, wish that we didn't or that we got alot less of it. 3 days should be all anyone is stuck with snow!!!

[applestar]

Thanks for posting those reallly cool photos. This is Sea Kale Crambe maritima, isn't it? Oh! or maybe it's a Tree Kale Brassica oleracea var. ramosa! They're both listed as one of the recommended perennial vegetables for Edible Landscaping and Permaculture. I seriously considered growing one or the other and even looked at some seed sources, but sadly, in my area, absolute winter lows can reach -5ºF or even lower.

I'd grow'em if I could.

Since I can't I'll have be satisfied with a Lacinato/Dinosaur Kale Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' which has survived one winter, and looks to have survived the 2nd one this past winter as well. We'll see.

[tomato_girl]

What an amazing kale!

I'd really like to grow it. So if anyone knows the name of the variety and a good source for seeds I'd be very grateful.

WatchMeShove, I'd be interested in a trade if you still have some seeds. I'm not sure what are you looking for, but my seedbox can be full of surprises.

[Joyfirst]

That is so cool! I would love to trade. But I am not sure I have something unusual. My friend gave me some very delicious winter squash seeds, which makes a very smooth soup, but it sounds like you are eating raw, so that wouln't interest you. I also have some heirloom cucumber and gherkin seeds.

[tomato_girl]

Squash (summer, winter) can be eaten raw. Some taste better - my favourite variety is Delicata, but also Golden nugget is very tasty.

Delicata:
[img]https://lh6.ggpht.com/_UgkkREQYReE/SL6B9boC4VI/AAAAAAAAB0E/3f_A3cqETmQ/s400/PIC_0062.JPG[/img]

[img]https://lh3.ggpht.com/_UgkkREQYReE/SL6CYUmDexI/AAAAAAAAB00/VBaQFAvVJ24/s400/PIC_0077.JPG[/img]

The other not so tasty when eaten raw varieties can be used for making juice with a juicer.

[Joyfirst]

Thank you for sharing, TomatoeGirl. I eat high raw, but squash is usually not my first choice for raw foods, I could try to widen my horizons. I do eat tons of kale in smoothies, in juices,and occasionally chips. The thing with a kale is that last year all of my seedlings were eaten to the ground within a week. I will try to put row covers this year.

[greengardner]

do you still have seeds I like unusual plants lost all my starts trying to get new beginning