Brassica Oleracea
Kale +
Kale +
This year's B. oleracea (and napus), leafy Kales, blend is perhaps the most diversely represented blend of seeds Joseph has stewarded and packaged to date. The bevy of seed sources in 2024 surpasses any other year by a good margin - we have numerous donations from a vast litany of locales.
What does the vast representation of seed sources this year mean for you the grower? Well, that depends on your aims! As a small example, in 2023's crop year Joseph had 5 plants make it to flower and seed in 2024 that survived at least five consecutive days of -40 F. He is now isolating this group for 2025 trials for, what he is calling, 'Possibly Absurdly Cold Hardy Kales'. The ongoing wild and wooly adventure that is the unknown hemispheric journeys of winter's Polar Vortices may make kales such as these necessary for many more an outdoor grower. For the first time in all his years growing the various iterations of the 'Going to Seed' Kale mix, Joseph has been harvesting kale leaves (From seeds saved in 2022 and 2023) through December and into January. Has it been a milder winter where he resides? Absolutely. But, zero crop cover and zero protection of any kind while harvesting extant plants into January at 98 degrees N and 117 degrees W at 2200 feet of altitude is a feat. Anything is possible with patience, intention, and devotion.
Stay tuned: The 2025 kale growing year will feature trials of GRIN genetics from across the globe. Time will tell. Regardless, with the abundance of diverse genetic lineages represented in 2024's seed crop there are numerous possibilities awaiting many a farm and garden. Jump into the ongoing work and grow these amazing plants.
Packets contain over 200 seeds.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Are seeds really free?
Are seeds really free?
Our mission is to make diverse seeds available to everyone. Although the seeds are free, you will need to pay for shipping. In addition, we ask you to consider making a donation to cover program costs. This allows us to make seed free for those who need it.
When will I get my seeds?
When will I get my seeds?
Seeds will ship within a week of ordering. This program is run by dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Going to Seed is not a seed company. You may receive packages that have less than the stated number of seeds, germination rates may not meet the federal standards, shipping may be slower than you prefer, or there may be any other number of unanticipated glitches. Please be patient with us as we improve the standards over time.
How are seeds packaged?
How are seeds packaged?
Seeds are packed in moisture proof, 100% compostable materials. We recommend saving this packet to fill and send back to the program.
About the Seed Steward
Joseph resides at 2150 to 2450 feet on his 68 acre farmstead in the Blanchard Creek Valley of northeast Washington state. Just miles beyond the Northeast slopes of Mount Spokane - the highest peak of the Selkirk Mountain range - you will find him in his gardens, fields, and forests toiling with earnest and devout intent. In this rugged temperate climate - where last frosts can creep into early June and first frosts can sneak into late August - he works with annual and perennial plants selecting for short season harvest schedules and drought and cold resilience. Brassicas are a natural fit.