Basic BiennialsSaving Kale Seed

Presented by – Frank CochraneCochrane Family Farm

We start several hundred kale transplants from which to start our seed crop selection.

Start with a large sampling and rogue out any unwanted plants that are undesirable for any reasons such as poor physical characteristics or disease.

Rogued Crop

Next year’s Seed Crop of Red

Russian Kale This will be rogued and then covered

for winter and rogued again in the spring once

plants reestablish themselves.

Red Russian Kale seed saved in 2016

Kale Seed Saving quick factsBRASSICACEAE - Brassica oleracea

Is a bit more difficult to save than some seeds.

For Seed Crop spacing 24 inches or more.

Must have 10-12 week period of temps below 10 Cel. in order to flower and set seeds.

Insect pollinated and cross pollination required due to self-incompatibility.

Isolation distance from other Brassica oleracea members 800ft to ½ mile. (244 – 805m)

(Can cross with broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale and kohlrabi)

We use alternate day caging to avoid cross pollination.

Seed viability - 6 years

How many plants required for saving seeds;

For viable seed 5 - To maintain variety 20 -50 - To preserve genetics 80 plus

Seedpods must be fully mature before harvesting, once fully dry the seed pods have a tendency to shatter and the ripest pods will be at bottom of stalk. We hand harvest all our Brassica crops.

Questions??

Cochrane Family Farm Cochrane Family Seeds

5324 Hwy 289, Upper Stewiacke, NScochranefamilyfarm@bellaliant.com

www.cochranefamilyfarm.comwww.cochranefamilyseeds.com

902-671-2378