Premier

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Tender, sweet-leaning leaves unfurl with a velvety, deep forest-green sheen—Premier kale is prized for its crisp bite and quick, satisfying tenderness at just about 50 days.

The foliage forms an upright, tightly layered rosette that stays attractive as it matures, offering a steady supply of harvest-ready greens for fresh salads, sautéing, and hearty soups, plus a flavorful base for pesto-style blends and robust winter braises.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 7th
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

Premier kale is a sweet-leaning, fast-tender variety—its leaves keep a crisp, almost velour-like chew instead of going chalky or tough. Choose it when you want bitterness to sit politely in the background and still taste undeniably green, whether you hit it with quick heat or keep it raw under acid.

Best Uses

quick sauté in hot fat so the leaf stays snappy but not leathery
tossed raw in a thin ribbon salad with a punchy, acidic dressing
blended into a pesto-style green sauce that stays bright and thick
stewed/simmered for 20–35 minutes in soups where it turns silky without collapsing

Flavor Profile

sweet-leaning kale with a crisp bite tender, velvety leaf texture gentle bitterness with a clean, green finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan white beans balsamic vinegar smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common problem affecting Brassica oleracea var. viridis (Premier) and how do I control it?

Watch for clubroot and downy mildew, which are common in Brassica greens, especially in cool, wet conditions. Avoid replanting brassicas where they were grown before, keep leaves as dry as possible, and use a brassica-friendly fungicide if mildew appears early. If you see clubroot symptoms (stunted plants with swollen, clubbed roots), remove affected plants and don’t grow Brassica in that spot for several years.

How often should I water Premier during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist during the ~50-day growing period, with no long dry spells or waterlogged beds. Water deeply enough to soak the root zone, typically when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and maintain moisture more carefully during hot weather to prevent bitterness and early bolting. Mulch helps stabilize moisture for these short, fast-forming greens.

How can I tell when Premier is ready to harvest?

Premier is typically ready around 50 days from sowing when leaves are large enough for regular picking but before flowering shoots start. Harvest outer leaves first for an extended window, cutting or snapping them at the base of the leaf stem. If you notice the center tightening and rising, harvest immediately—waiting too long can make the flavor sharper.