Seed Spotlight: Kale, The Grand Adventurer

Here in Tolero, we have two seasons: hot and cold. Hot lasts the longest; we can grow two corn crops for every hot season. But some o’ what we grow, like Kale, can’t take the heat. We have to wait ‘til the cold season. 

I can’t figure Kale out. With his ruffly, dark leaves, he looks like an ocean creature–’least, that’s what Mama says. I don’t know what ocean creatures look like, but I reckon she does since she used to live at the Coast.

Anyhow, I figure, if Kale looks like an ocean creature, maybe he comes from the ocean–or a land even farther. See, I picture worlds beyond desert and ocean–worlds much different than this one. Worlds where Kale once lived.

Those worlds were cold all the time, and plenty o’ water flowed through ‘em. Perhaps Kale was once a tiny seed, preparin’ to sprout in this place where his kind thrived. But he wasn’t happy enough to put down roots there. Like me, he pictured other worlds. And he wanted to see ‘em.

So, one day, he left his home and all he knew behind. He traveled over hill and mountain, through meadow and forest. He didn’t try to chart his course, for he was a grand adventurer–he just went where the world took him, lookin’ at all the sights as he went. He rode on a little leaf boat, carried along by streams ‘til the streams ran dry, then he journeyed along on the winds.

Then the winds became hotter, and dryer, and blew tirelessly across a barren land. Kale Seed began to feel faint, any hint of life within him wilting beneath the unending heat. He began to long for the cool waters of his homeland. But he’d come too far to turn back.

Finally, he collapsed on the sand, wonderin’ if his grand adventure had come to an end. And it had. But his story was about to have a new beginning.

A farmer found this tiny little seed lyin’ there, gaspin’ for a sip. The farmer took him into his own house, placin’ him in a bowl o’ moist compost near a shady window where cool breezes wafted in. Kale Seed thought he’d fallen into a dream–suddenly, he was home. He soaked up all the water he could, swellin’ ‘til his roots popped through. Then he stretched his roots, lettin’ ‘em crawl through the soil, drinkin’ up the nourishment he’d been so long without.

By and by, his first little leaves popped out through the soil. Then a second set of leaves appeared. His soil dried out fast, but the farmer watered him every day, makin’ sure he never dried up. Then one day, the farmer went and prepared a spot o’ ground sheltered from the relentless beating of the sun and wind. He mixed compost in the sand. Then he placed our young Kale Seedling in this spot o’ ground.

Day after day, the farmer tended him–givin’ him cool water to fight off the heat, addin’ more compost from time to time. Kale Seedling grew beneath the farmer’s tender care while, all the while, the days became shorter and colder. And over time, with the proper mix o’ water and compost, shade and cooler days, Kale not only survived, but became a full-grown plant.

And ever since, we’ve grown Kale in the cold season ‘round here. He likes the cold much

better than the heat–he dudn’t even mind the sun when it’s cold out, and he dudn’t need quite so much water and compost.

Sometimes I talk to him about his homeland–I ask him what he was thinkin’, leavin’ home and wanderin’ out into the desert like that, ‘cause me? I ain’t no grand adventurer. I like dreamin’ of other worlds, but I put my roots down here a long time ago. 

I’m glad that little Kale Seed was more adventurous than me, though, ‘cause ya know what? It’s kinda fun growin’ ocean creatures in the desert. 

From Sarah: Now through February 2nd, 2025, get a free packet of Kale seeds with any order! Click on the button below to head over to the Shop page.