Kale : Red Russian

Early, bitter-free, very tender and very beautiful in the garden

'Red Russian' is an unusual and beautiful variety that grows 2' tall. Leaves are bitter-free, very tender, and are intersected by purple-pink veins, lightly tinged with purple on the margins. In cold weather the leaves turn reddish-purple and are very attractive. 'Red Russian' produces an early crop of very tender leaves.

Brassicaceae Brassica oleracea

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Kale: Siberian

Red Russian

These varieties are more tender and better flavored than the Scotch Kales. They aren't as hardy, however. Very young leaves can be used raw in salads though they are usually cooked (stems may be tough or not, depending upon circumstances). A biennial, in the spring the flower buds can be used like broccoli.

Kale is a hardy green leafy vegetable harvested in late fall and winter. It develops it best flavor under cool growing conditions. It can also take some light frost allowing it to make it through mild winter weather.

Spring Kale will actually grow right through the summer, but doesn't taste as good when growing at higher temperatures. It is more tender and sweet in cold weather.

In mild climates, kale will continue to grow all winter without disruption and can be harvested continually for months (it will also be in peak condition in the cool weather).

Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Biennial
Days to Maturity: 40-50 (Spring/Summer), 40-70 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Hardy

This variety will keep growing and producing right through the winter in milder areas and can be extremely frost tolerant.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm

This variety grows well in both heat and cold. In mild climates it will continue growing right through the winter.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 0°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F

Kale is pretty hardy and can go into the ground when it is still fairly cold. However it will germinate and grow faster in warmer soil.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm)

Kale will be most productive in full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade.
Water: Moderate

Kale must have plenty of water for maximum productivity and best quality.
Feeder: Heavy

Low nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous.

Kale has similar nutritional requirements as cabbage, in that it needs a significant amount of phosphorus and potassium but not a lot of nitrogen.

Early varieties require a higher soil fertility than mid or late-season varieties.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

You can grow a single kale plant in a one gallon pot or groups of plants in larger containers. Make sure that your container has drainage holes. Fill with a mixture of potting soil and compost and water thoroughly. In hot weather you should keep them out of direct sun.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Slate green with dark red veins
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 24.0 - 24.0"
Plant Diameter: 12.0 - 16.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Sweeter than traditional varieties. Bitter-free, very tender.
Rotation Group: Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens

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Plant Guide

Kale : Red Russian

Early, bitter-free, very tender and very beautiful in the garden

Red Russian

Basics