Dwarf Siberian

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Savory-sweet and deeply green, Dwarf Siberian Kale forms tight, cushiony rosettes with tender leaves that feel pleasantly crisp at first touch and then melt into a silky bite.

Its compact, dwarf habit makes it ideal for small gardens, delivering a steady harvest of flavorful greens with a gentle, earthy edge that shines in warm-season stir-ins, hearty soups, and robust sautés. Grow it for dependable, cold-tolerant performance and a lush, garden-to-table supply of classic kale character.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Dwarf Siberian

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Dwarf Siberian’s compact rosettes give you tender leaves that wilt quickly and then go silky in the mouth—no long simmer required. It carries a gentle, earthy kale character that loves heat, acid, and rendered fat, making it a workhorse for fast sautés and last-minute soup additions.

Best Uses

quick sauté in a hot pan with a slick of fat, so it turns glossy without getting leathery
warm-season stir-ins where it needs to wilt fast but still hold texture
hearty soups or stews, added near the end for silky leaves
blanch-and-refresh for sheet-pan garlic butter or lemony kale chips

Flavor Profile

deep green, gently sweet-savory bite tender-crisp leaves that soften into a silky chew earthy, classic brassica savor with a mild bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon olive oil parmesan white beans smoked bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem affecting Brassica napus (dwarf blue curled/scotch type) and how can I prevent/treat it?

For Brassica napus, watch for clubroot and downy mildew in cool, wet conditions—both can stunt plants and cause yellowing or wilting. Prevent clubroot by avoiding soggy beds and rotating out of brassicas for several years; if you see swollen roots, remove affected plants and don’t replant brassicas in that spot. For mildew, keep leaves dry by watering at the soil line, improve airflow with proper spacing, and remove heavily infected leaves early.

How often should I water Brassica napus during the main growth phase to keep it productive?

During the main growth (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for steady moisture rather than frequent soaking. Water deeply when the surface starts to dry, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and wind, and reduce watering if the soil stays wet or rain is frequent. Uneven moisture can lead to poor leaf quality and stress that slows growth.

How do I tell when dwarf Siberian Brassica napus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when plants are about 45–50 days from sowing and the leaves are tender with good curl and color, usually before they become tough. A practical test is to pick a few outer leaves—if they snap or break easily and taste mild, the crop is ready; if leaves are fibrous or overly bitter, harvest soon. For best quality, harvest in the cool part of the day and continue picking outer leaves to encourage new growth.