Description
Red Russian Kale is a striking addition to any garden, offering wavy, dark green leaves highlighted with vivid reddish-purple veins and stems. This heirloom variety, introduced to North America in 1885, is prized for its tender, sweet flavor and versatility in the kitchen. Ideal for mesclun, garnishes, sautéing, or fresh salads, Red Russian Kale can be harvested early as baby greens in just 21 days, or allowed to mature to full-sized plants reaching 18″–30″ tall.
Known for its hardiness in cooler climates, Red Russian Kale thrives even after light fall frosts, which enhance its naturally sweet flavor. Its vigorous growth and beautiful coloration make it a favorite for home gardeners seeking both visual appeal and nutritious leafy greens. Regular harvesting encourages continual production, allowing for a steady supply of tender leaves throughout the growing season.
This packet sows up to 96 feet. 190 seeds.
Variety Info:
Botanical Name: Brassica napus
Days to Maturity: 21–50 days
Family: Brassicaceae
Native: Europe
Hardiness: Biennial grown as an annual, kale is very cold hardy and may overwinter in milder climates.
Plant Dimensions: 18″–30″ tall, 24″ wide
Variety Information: Wavy, dark green leaves with reddish purple veins and stems.
Sowing Info:
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature is above 45°F for spring/summer crop; 10 to 12 weeks before your average first fall frost date for fall crop; and in mild climates, fall for very early spring crop.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. For a fall crop, start 12 to 14 weeks before your average first fall frost date, transplanting after 4 to 6 weeks. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 65°–85°F.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ¼”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 18″
Row Spacing: 24″
Thinning: When 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″
Growing Info:
Harvesting: Outer leaves can be harvested as baby greens when 2″–3″ tall, any time when full-sized beginning with the lowest, or the whole plant can be cut off at ground level at maturity. For fast regrowth, harvest up to only 1/3 of the plant at a time.
