Wild Dreams Kale
Brassica oleracea
Seeds per pack ~ 70
Germination 84% Oct 2024 Packed for 2025
Origins and History
Wild Dreams Kale is a relatively recent heirloom selection within the kale family, bred and stabilized by seed stewards who valued both resilience and aesthetic uniqueness. While rooted in the long lineage of Brassica oleracea crops cultivated for centuries across Europe and the Mediterranean, this variety embodies the tradition of farmer-led plant breeding, where growers select for traits that balance nutrition, vigor, and adaptability. Like other kales, its ancestry ties back to coastal wild cabbages of Europe, but “Wild Dreams” reflects modern efforts to blend heritage seed preservation with creative selection, ensuring heirloom diversity continues to this new broad-leafed winter kale to a wider audience.
Bred by Jennifer Williams of Wild Dreams Farm on Vashon Island, Washington, working alongside Ryan Wheeler, a member of the Vashon Seed Growers Network, 'Wild Dreams' kale is a relatively stable new variety that began with a diverse mix of kale from our friends at Wild Garden Seeds in Oregon.
Appearance and Characteristics
This kale variety stands out for its deeply serrated, frilly leaves with a wild, almost ornamental quality that makes it visually striking in the garden. The leaves are tender yet sturdy, ranging in shades from medium to dark green, often with subtle hints of bluish tones depending on soil and climate. Plants grow upright, typically 18–24 inches tall, with a broad spread that makes them both productive and decorative. Its unique leaf shape makes it less prone to pest damage compared to smoother-leaved kales.
Culinary Uses
Wild Dreams Kale is versatile in the kitchen, offering the classic earthy, slightly sweet flavor kale is known for, with an added tenderness that lends itself well to fresh preparations. It is excellent for raw salads and massaged kale dishes, as the frilled leaves hold dressings beautifully. When cooked, the leaves soften quickly and work well in sautés, soups, and stews. They also dehydrate into crisp, flavorful kale chips that highlight the leaf’s texture.
Growing Tips
Wild Dreams Kale thrives in USDA zones 4–9, though it can overwinter in milder climates and tolerate light frosts, which actually sweeten its flavor. Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for fall harvests, planting at a depth of ¼–½ inch. Space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows 18–24 inches wide. Kale prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hot summers. Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost supports steady leaf production. Successive sowings every 2–3 weeks can ensure a continuous harvest.
Harvesting Guidance
Harvesting can begin once leaves reach about 6–8 inches long, typically 50–60 days from sowing. For best yield and longevity, use the “cut-and-come-again” method: remove outer leaves first while allowing the central crown to continue producing new growth. Regular picking encourages bushier growth and prevents leaves from becoming tough. Kale can be harvested well into cold weather, often lasting until hard freezes, and in some regions, it will overwinter for an early spring flush of new greens.
