Scientific Name: Brassica napus var. pabularia
Common Name: Red Russian Kale
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Height: 18-24 inches
Width: 12-18 inches
Spacing: 12-18 inches apart
Attracts: Beneficial insects such as pollinators, hoverflies and predatory wasps
Use: Culinary use, salads, smoothies, sautés, soups, and baby greens
Plant Habit: Upright, leafy habit with flat, deeply lobed leaves and purple-red stems
Harvest: 50-60 days for mature leaves; 20-25 days for baby greens
Companion Plants: Beets, onions, celery, potatoes, herbs like dill and cilantro
General Information: Red Russian Kale is a cold-tolerant and flavourful variety known for its flat, tender blue-green leaves with vibrant purple veins and stems. It performs exceptionally well in cool seasons and becomes sweeter after frost. The leaves remain tender longer than many kales, making it ideal for both raw and cooked dishes. This variety thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture, and can be harvested continuously by picking outer leaves or cutting the plant for regrowth. Suitable for garden beds, raised beds and market gardening.
