Premier, Kale Seed

Premier Kale Seed

Extra-early plants yield abundant smooth dark-green leaves
Slow bolting extends harvest as temperatures rise
Fall planting encourages sweeter cool-season flavor
Excellent for bunching and repeated leaf picking

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea

Days to maturity

60 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

1000 Seeds

About Premier, Kale Seed, Kale Seed

The Premier Kale, or also known as Early Hanover, is a high yielding kale with delicious and nutritious green leaves. This kale is early maturing that produces high amounts of smooth, dark green leaves. Plant Premier in the fall so that it produces higher yields and resists bolting 4 weeks longer. This kale's taste is a favorite and is extremely high in antioxidants and beta carotene!

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/2"

Days to Germination

3–10 days

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Row Spacing

18-36"

Plant profile

Maturity

Spring, Fall, Winter

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Rosette

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

9,000

Color

Green

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

Kale benefits from a full-sun site with fertile, well-drained soil where brassica crops have not recently grown. Incorporate compost and use a soil test to adjust pH and nutrients, supplying lime before planting only when needed. Prepare a firm, weed-free bed and harden transplants gradually before setting them outdoors.

Planting

Kale may be direct-sown in cool weather or started indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting. Maintain about 70–75°F until germination, then give seedlings bright light and cooler conditions. Harden transplants gradually and set them out before summer heat for spring crops, or sow in midsummer for fall harvest. Thin direct-sown seedlings after true leaves develop.

Watering

Kale performs best with consistent moisture, generally 1–1½ inches weekly. Irrigate deeply during dry periods and direct water toward the root zone to keep foliage drier.

Fertilizer

Kale is a moderately heavy feeder. Apply balanced fertilizer according to soil tests, with a light nitrogen side-dressing as leaves, heads, or stems begin enlarging.

Harvesting

Cut kale leaves at the desired baby or mature size while they remain crisp and well colored. Harvest outer leaves repeatedly, or remove the whole plant before flowering begins.

Tips

Protect young kale with row cover before pests arrive. Maintain cool conditions with mulch, rotate crops regularly, and avoid letting old plants or weeds host brassica insects between seasons.

AVG. Seeding Rate

For bunching: 1,000 seeds/220', 1 oz./1,110', 1 lb./24,000'.

Pests & Diseases

Black rot, clubroot, downy mildew, Alternaria, and blackleg can persist through repeated kale harvests. V-shaped yellow lesions with dark veins indicate black rot. Use clean seed, rotate brassicas, remove infected leaves before handling healthy plants, and keep diseased kale volunteers from bridging seasons.

Monitor kale for caterpillars, flea beetles, aphids, and root maggots. Use row cover before pests arrive, remove eggs and larvae by hand, and clear brassica residue after harvest.