Kale 'Red Russian' Heirloom (200 seeds)
If you’re looking for a sweet and tender variety of kale for your garden, look no further than ‘Red Russian.’
This heirloom variety has leaves that are softer than other varieties, making it a welcome change from fall greens that require lots of cooking.
This variety also has a unique appearance with its frilly green leaves and purple-red stems. In fact, some people even cultivate it just for ornamental purposes, adding rich color to their fall gardens.
This particular cultivar of Brassica oleracea var. viridis is also known as Kale Ragged Jack and Sweet Red. Flatter than other cultivars and with jagged edges, its leaves are also the most tender and mild of all varieties.
Approximately 200 seeds per packet (packed by volume).
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Brassica oleracea
CULTURE: Kale prefers a fertile, well-drained soil high in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0–7.5. Consistent moisture will produce the highest-quality leaves.
DAYS TO MATURITY: 30 days for baby leaves; 50 days to full size.
DIRECT SEEDING: Plant from early spring to approximately 3 months before expected fall frost. For bunching: Sow 3–4 seeds every 12–18", ½" deep, in rows 18–36" apart. Thin to 1 plant per group.
EARLY SPRING CROP: Use varieties suited to warm-season production. Sow 2 seeds per cell in 50- to 72-cell plug flats, 3–4 seeds/in. in 20-row flats; or, in outdoor beds ¼" deep. Seedlings should be ready to transplant in 4–6 weeks. If possible, keep soil temperature over 75°F (24°C) until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60°F (16°C). Transplant outdoors 12–18" apart in rows 18–36" apart. Kale prefers cooler growing temperatures, between 55–75°F (13–24°C), optimum being 60–70°F (16–21°C), but will produce good crops under warmer, summer conditions.
FALL CROP: Start seedlings as above in May and transplant to the garden in June–July. To ensure mature heads, seed the crop early in areas where heavy freezes occur early in fall.
WINTER CROP: Successful kale crops can be grown where winters are mild and temperatures rarely fall below 32°F (0°C). Transplants can be set out from September to February in these regions.
DISEASES: Adhere strictly to a preventive program including: (1) long crop rotations with non-brassica crops, (2) clean starting mixes and outdoor seedbeds, and (3) strict sanitation practices. We only sell seeds of kale that have tested negative for black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) and black leg (Phoma lingam).
INSECT PESTS: Kale is not as afflicted with pests as are other brassica crops such as cabbage. Apply row covers at the time of planting to exclude pests from the crop. Control cabbage worms and loopers with Bacillus thuringiensis. (Bt)
HARVEST: Beginning about 2 months after planting, harvest by clipping individual leaves. Kale is very hardy, and the eating quality will improve into the late fall with light frost. Late-summer sown or planted collards can be wintered in cold frames or hoophouses, or in the open in mild regions, to extend the season. Protecting with row covers can extend the harvest period.