KALE - RED RUSSIAN

 Organic Kale Red Russian

        100 Seeds Pack    

Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage, native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor. It has been in cultivation for so long, dating back over 2000 years, and has been so spread across prehistoric traders and migrating tribes, that it’s hard to pinpoint the exact region of origin. Ancient Greeks and Romans grew both curly-leafed and flat-leafed varieties by the fourth century BCE, and these forms, which were referred to by the Romans as sabellian Kale, are considered to be the ancestors of modern Kale varieties. 

Red Russian Kale is a different species to other kales, having the botanical name Brassica napus va pabularia. It is originally from Siberia and was introduced to North America, specifically Canada, by Russian traders in 1885. Russian Kale is a Borecole Heritage Variety that is also known by common names such as, Ragged Jack, Buda Kale, Siberian Kale, Canadian Broccoli and Rouge de Russie. 

Red Russian kale grows in a large loose rosette shape that ranges from .3-.5 meters tall. This variety is easily recognized by its richly coloured burgundy stems and purple tinted leaves. They are flat and toothed like an oak leaf with an overall dark green colour and deep red veins. Offers a mild nutty flavour that is slightly sweet and earthy with a hearty texture. 

    PLANTING & GROWING

Can grow in plant containers in your balcony garden or inside near a sunny window. If you don’t have a suitable garden spot, try a container instead.  A pot that’s at least 8 inches wide and it has drainage holes. Due to sensitive roots, repotting is best avoided. Instead, make sure you choose a suitable growing container for your seeds right from the start.

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them. 

Kale it is easy to grow throughout the winter months, their attractive leaves make them very useful in potagers. This hardy crop can provide nutritious leaves even in the depths of winter. Mature plants survive to -12°C (10°F) or below. Mark the site so you can find the fresh greens under the snow. 

Sow the seeds about 1.5cm (½in) deep in rows which are 22cm (9in) apart. Germination will take about 10 days. When the plant is about 22cm (9in) high and four leaves have developed (about 6 -8 weeks after sowing) transplant them to their final positions.

They should be planted slightly deeper than they grew in the seed bed. Spacings are 45cm (18in) apart with rows the same distance apart. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil.  

Companion Planting: Beets, Celery, Cucumbers, Dill, Garlic, Hyssop, Lettuce, Mint, Nasturtium, Onions, Potatoes, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Swiss chard 

Cilantro is one of the best companion plants for kale because it attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on common pests like aphids. 

To help reduce disease, do not plant kale or other cole crops in the same location more than once every three or four years.