Kale

The OFFICIAL green of Richmond, CA!! First brought to Richmond from the South during WWII, the Purple Tree Collard is a resilient, nutritious and delicious perennial veggie. Urban Tilth, a super local nonprofit that focuses on urban agriculture, has adopted the Purple Tree Collard as its official mascot and plants Tree Collards to contribute to its goal of 5% local food production for the Richmond area. This purple form is a local cultivar chosen for its sweet, tender leaves and pretty color. To grow, situate the plant in a sunny site (preferably in rich soil, but this is not required). Grows from 6-10’ tall and around 3’ wide. The purple color is enhanced by cold weather and the sweetest leaves can be harvested during this time, though this vegetable is productive year-round. Individual plants can live up to 20 years and can be easily propagated by cuttings.