How to Grow Vates Kale From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Vates, also called Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch, is a compact, hardy kale with tightly curled blue-green leaves. It is quick to harvest at around 55 days and stays low and neat, making it ideal for small beds and containers. Vates is one of the most cold-hardy kales, standing up to hard frost and light snow, and a frost only sweetens the leaves. Plant it in spring or late summer for tender, productive greens well into cold weather.

Ready to grow your own? Shop Kale Vates, Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch Seeds from Organo Republic.

This is the quick guide to Vates (Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch). For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting kale, see our complete guide to growing kale from seed.

Quick start

Sow Vates directly in the garden or start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting, spacing plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil. Give full sun and steady moisture for the fullest, most tender curls. Begin picking outer leaves at around 55 days, or snip baby leaves even sooner, and keep harvesting from the outside so the plant produces for months. Plant in early spring or late summer; the fall crop sweetens after frost.

Best tip

Vates is exceptionally cold-hardy, so lean into a fall and winter crop: a hard frost turns the leaves noticeably sweeter, and the compact plants keep standing under light snow. In cold northern climates you can harvest right through freezes, often into winter with a simple row cover. In hot-summer regions, plant in late summer for fall or use afternoon shade, since prolonged heat makes the leaves tougher and can trigger bolting. Always pick outer leaves first to keep the center producing.

At a glance

Botanical nameBrassica oleracea var. sabellica

Plant typeCool-season biennial grown as an annual

USDA zones2 to 11 (very cold-hardy)

SunFull sun to part shade (6+ hours ideal)

Days to maturityAbout 55 days (baby leaves sooner)

Height12 to 15 inches

Spacing12 to 18 inches apart

WaterConsistent; about 1 to 1.5 inches per week

Uses

Vates is a versatile, tender curled kale for the kitchen. Use young leaves raw in salads and smoothies, and mature leaves in soups, sautés, braises, and pasta. Its sturdy curls crisp up beautifully into kale chips and hold their texture in stews. Because a frost sweetens the flavor, fall-grown Vates is especially good for hearty cold-weather cooking.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vates kale take to grow?

Vates is quick, with tender leaves ready for picking in about 55 days. Start harvesting baby leaves even sooner, and pick outer leaves regularly so the plant keeps producing from the center for months.

Is Vates kale cold-hardy?

Very. Vates (Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch) is one of the most cold-hardy kales, shrugging off hard frosts and light snow. A frost actually sweetens the leaves, so it is an excellent choice for fall and winter harvests in cold climates.

How big does Vates kale get?

Vates is a compact, dwarf kale, staying around 12 to 15 inches tall and wide. Its low, tightly curled habit makes it neat and productive in small beds, rows, and containers without flopping over.

When should I plant Vates kale?

Plant Vates in early spring for a summer harvest, or in mid to late summer for a fall and winter crop. Because it tolerates cold so well, the fall planting often gives the sweetest, longest-lasting harvest.

Ready to grow your own? Vates seeds give you a compact, very cold-hardy curled kale that keeps producing tender leaves for months. For the full step-by-step, see our complete kale growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch Kale Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Vates Kale — tender curled leaves for chips, sautés, and hearty soups.

Price$4.99

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.