Red Russian Kale

(Brassica napus) 40 days. Beautiful plants grow 2 ft. tall. Mild, tender leaves have purple-pink veins lightly tinged with purple on the margins. In cold weather the leaves turn reddish purple and are very attractive. Less cold-hardy (15°F) than most kales.

How to Grow: Kale is an easy-to-grow, nutritious brassica (cabbage-family) leafy green rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron and magnesium. This frost-hardy traditional crop can, with protection, provide winter greens even in the north. Flavor is best and disease problems are few when grown in cool weather. Plant in early spring for early greens, or in late summer for fall & winter harvest. Flavor of summer-sown kale improves after the first fall frost. Kale prefers full sun and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Germination: 6-10 days. For spring sowings, start indoors 4 weeks before last frost or direct sow 1-2 weeks before last frost. For a fall/winter crop, sow 10 weeks before first hard frost. Sow 1/4″ deep. Thin to 8-12″ apart in rows 16-30″ part. Use thick mulch & irrigate to maintain moisture during hot weather.

Harvest: Collect young leaves anytime. Clip oldest leaves when less than 12″ long for tender leaves and best flavor.

Packet: 2g unless otherwise stated (approximately 600 seeds) sows 55’ direct seeded or 230’ as transplants.