Red Russian Kale

Red Russian Kale has beautiful flat, smooth green, purple-veined leaves with jagged edges and purple stems. This hardy, heirloom variety thrives in cool climates and is renowned for its sweet, mild flavor and delicate taste that’s perfect for salads, smoothies, and sautes. The tender leaves are ideal for those who find other kale varieties too tough or fibrous, while its quick growth ensures a reliable and continuous harvest throughout the season. Its compact growth habit and eye-catching appearance make it as beautiful as it is productive, adding both nutrition and visual appeal to your garden beds. This hardy variety can thrive in the wintertime, surviving in temperatures as low as 15° Celsius. Kale has incredible nutritious value, with a large amount of vitamin K at 3.7 times the daily value, and is a rich source (20% or more of the DV) of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and manganese.

Also Known As: Ragged Jack, Buda Kale, Siberian Kale, Canadian Broccoli, Rouge de Russie, Red Russian Kale, Red Winter Kale, Purple Kale, Russian Red Kale, Red Curly Kale, Scarlet Kale, Red Curled Kale, Winter Red Kale.

Plant Name:	Kale, Red Russian
Latin Name:	Brassica napus var. pabularia
Days to Germinate:	5-10
Days to Harvest:	60
Plant Height:	18 - 24 Inches
Spread:	18 - 24 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	2-10
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Plant Kale in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil begins to warm (>45F). For fall crops, direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings outdoors 9-12 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Kale is ready to harvest when the leaves are large enough to eat, typically around 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety. For the best flavor and tenderness, harvest the outer leaves while they are young and about the size of your hand, leaving the central leaves to continue growing. Kale can be harvested multiple times throughout the season, as it grows continuously. Cooler weather often improves its flavor, so fall-harvested kale is especially sweet and delicious. If frost occurs, it can make the leaves even tastier.