Red Russian Kale: Unique Flavor and Striking Color

Red Russian kale brings something different to the garden with its distinctive red-veined leaves and frilly edges. This heirloom variety combines striking visual appeal with a uniquely sweet, mild flavor that sets it apart from other kale types. If you're looking to add color and culinary interest to your garden, Red Russian kale delivers on both fronts.

Why Grow Red Russian Kale?

Red Russian kale is prized for its tender, delicate leaves and exceptional taste. Unlike some kale varieties with a strong or bitter edge, Red Russian offers a naturally sweet flavor with subtle peppery notes that work beautifully in raw salads, smoothies, and lightly cooked dishes. The leaves are thinner and more tender than many other varieties, making them less chewy and more enjoyable for those new to kale.

The plant's striking appearance—with deep red veins running through gray-green foliage—makes it an attractive addition to ornamental vegetable gardens. Red Russian kale is also cold-hardy and improves in sweetness after frost, though it's somewhat less cold-tolerant than some other varieties. It matures quickly and produces continuously, rewarding gardeners with abundant harvests throughout the growing season.

Growing Red Russian Kale

Red Russian kale thrives in full sun and well-draining soil enriched with compost. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct-seed into the garden once soil is workable. Space plants 12-18 inches apart—Red Russian is more compact than some varieties, so it works well in smaller spaces and containers.

Keep soil consistently moist and apply mulch to maintain moisture levels and regulate temperature. This variety matures in 50-65 days and prefers moderate fertility. Red Russian kale is less demanding than some heirloom types and tolerates variable growing conditions well.

Harvesting Red Russian Kale

Begin picking outer leaves once the plant reaches 6-8 inches tall. The tender leaves are easy to harvest and strip from the stem. Red Russian's quick maturity and continuous growth mean you can harvest frequently without depleting the plant. The leaves remain tender even as the plant matures, making this variety forgiving for gardeners who harvest at different stages.

In Summary

Red Russian kale proves that exceptional flavor and visual beauty can grow together, making it a standout choice for any garden.

• Stems are purple with deep gray-green leaves. 
  
  - The plants mature medium-tall and leaves are tender compared to other kale varieties
  
  - Ideal for salads and light cooking
  
  - This variety is excellent producer in cooler growing seasons
  
  
• Days to Maturity | 65 days
  
  
• Kale Seeds | Kale can be planted pretty much anywhere in the United States where there's a cool fall growing season. Plant Kale in rows 18 inches to 2 feet apart. 
  
  
• Click here for complete Kale grow guide

Additional Details

Kale is considered to be a highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant properties; kale is considered to be anti-inflammatory. Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium.

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