How to Grow Green Curled Ruffec Kale
Wikimedia Commons
Green Curled Ruffec Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableGreen Curled Ruffec is a cold-hardy kale variety prized for its deeply crimped, dark green leaves and exceptional flavor. This heirloom cultivar develops a rosette form and becomes sweeter after frost exposure. It's a staple in European cuisine and highly valued by gardeners for its productivity and ornamental appeal.
When should you plant Green Curled Ruffec Kale in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Green Curled Ruffec Kale timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Green Curled Ruffec Kale
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Green Curled Ruffec Kale
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Green Curled Ruffec Kale dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with exceptional cold tolerance in zones 3-7
Sign up free to see if Green Curled Ruffec Kale grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Green Curled Ruffec Kale timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, tender and delicate
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light if indoors. Thin seedlings to proper spacing to prevent overcrowding and leggy growth.
Leaf Development
3-6 weeksFull rosette established with deeply crimped, dark green leaves reaching mature size and texture
Continue regular watering and feeding. Pinch off any flowering shoots to encourage leaf production. Begin harvesting outer leaves as needed.
Fall/Winter Enhancement
Variable, frost-dependentLeaf color deepens and sweetness increases significantly after frost exposure; flavor peaks after 2-3 hard freezes
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Protect from extreme cold with row covers in zone 3-4. Light frosts actually improve taste and tenderness.
Harvest
8-16 weeks of continuous harvestPlant produces harvestable leaves throughout season; center remains productive for months with proper leaf removal
Harvest outer leaves first, leaving inner leaves to continue growing. Can harvest individual leaves or cut whole plant 2 inches above soil for regrowth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Row covers during egg-laying season, Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray, hand-picking caterpillars, companion planting with chamomile
-
Neem oil, Bt spray, row covers, encouraging parasitic wasps with flowering plants
-
Row covers on young plants, neem oil, diatomaceous earth, kaolin clay spray
-
Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, reflective mulches, beneficial insects
-
Yellow sticky traps, neem oil, insecticidal soap, reflective mulch
-
Crop rotation (3-year minimum), raise soil pH to 7.2+, remove infected plants, disinfect tools
Uses
Salads & Fresh Cooking
CulinaryYoung, tender leaves are excellent raw in salads with a slightly spicy, complex flavor. Mature leaves are ideal for sautéing, steaming, or adding to soups, sauces, and grain bowls. The crimped texture holds dressings and sauces beautifully. [source]
Nutritional Powerhouse
MedicinalExceptionally high in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as calcium, iron, and antioxidants including sulforaphane and lutein. Regular consumption supports bone health, immune function, and eye health. [source]
Juice & Smoothies
HouseholdNutrient-dense leaves are popular in green juice blends and smoothies. The mild flavor (especially in frost-sweetened winter leaves) makes it less bitter than some kale varieties. [source]
Ornamental Gardening
CraftWith its striking deep green, heavily ruffled foliage, Green Curled Ruffec serves as both a productive food crop and beautiful ornamental plant. Popular in cottage gardens and edible landscaping. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeIf left to bolt, kale produces abundant yellow flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Excellent for supporting beneficial insects while extending garden aesthetics. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants are 8-10 inches tall, typically 50+ days from transplanting. Harvest leaves from bottom upward, leaving the growing center intact for continuous production. Pick leaves in early morning for best texture and flavor. Green Curled Ruffec becomes sweeter and more tender after light frosts (28-32°F). Can harvest continuously through winter in mild climates. In cold zones, harvest before hard freezes below 10°F; plants will survive but leaves become brittle.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Green Curled Ruffec is a heirloom variety originating in France (Ruffec region), cultivated for centuries and prized by European gardeners for superior cold hardiness and flavor complexity.
- 🌱 Kale actually improves in taste after frost; sugars increase as the plant converts starch to sugar as a natural anti-freeze mechanism, making late-season harvests sweeter than early harvests.
- 🌱 A single kale plant can produce harvestable leaves for 3-4 months or longer with proper leaf-removal technique, making it one of the most productive vegetables per plant for season-long harvests.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Green Curled Ruffec Kale planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Green Curled Ruffec Kale seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Green Curled Ruffec Kale timeline →