Red Russian Kale Seeds

We promise to provide you with high-quality, fresh and viable flower seeds.

Bullet Points:

• Stunning Magenta Stems & Veins: The vibrant, candy-like purple stems and leaf veins create a dramatic color contrast that will make your garden beds and dinner plates pop.
  
• The Sweetest, Most Tender Kale: Red Russian is famous for its delicate, silky texture. Unlike tough curly kale, its leaves are buttery, tender, and naturally sweet—making it the perfect base for gourmet raw salads.
  
• Antioxidant Superfood Powerhouse: The deep purple/pink color comes from natural anthocyanins—powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and support heart health.
  
• Winter Garden Champion: Extremely cold-hardy, this kale not only survives heavy frost but actually gets sweeter after a freeze. Harvest fresh greens right through the snow!
  
• Cut-and-Come-Again Continuous Harvest: Snip the outer lower leaves as they mature, and the plant will keep producing new leaves from the center for months.
  
• Versatile Kitchen Star: Excellent for raw salads, nutritious green smoothies, sautéed side dishes, and beautiful garnish. Perfect for adding a pop of color to "Buddha Bowls."

Product Details:

• Genus: Brassica
• Species: Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group - Red Russian / Ragged Jack Kale)
  
• Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 4 – 11 (Extremely cold-hardy; survives down to 10°F and heavy frost).
  
• Days to Maturity: 50 - 60 days (For mature leaves).
  
• Days to Germination: 5 to 10 days (Optimal soil temp: 60°F - 75°F).
  
• Seeding Depth: ¼ to ½ inch (0.6 - 1.2 cm).
  
• Row Spacing: 18 - 24 inches (45 - 60 cm).
  
• Plant Height: 18 – 24 inches (45 - 60 cm) tall upright stalks.
  
• Growth Habit: Upright, soft stem plant. Features deeply frilly, blue-green leaves with striking bright magenta-red stalks and veins.
  
• Soil Preference: Loose, fertile, well-draining loam rich in organic matter. pH 6.0 – 7.5.
  
• Temperature Preference: Cool weather. Thrives best at 45°F - 65°F (7°C - 18°C). Tolerates heavy frost and snow.
  
• Light Preference: Full Sun (minimum 6 hours) to Partial Shade.

How to Plant & Grow:

• Site Preparation: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. Work 3-4 inches of aged compost into the top 6 inches of fertile, well-draining soil to support vigorous growth.
  
• Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring, or for the best results, plant in mid-to-late summer for a spectacular fall/winter harvest. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch (0.6-1.2 cm) deep and cover lightly. Keep soil consistently moist until germination (5-10 days).
  

Spacing:

• For Mature, Wide Plants: Space seedlings 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in rows spaced 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm) apart.
  
• For Continuous Baby Leaf Harvest: You can sow more densely at 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart and harvest young.
• Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Plant 1 plant per 1-square-foot area for mature growth.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist. Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Consistent moisture prevents the tender leaves from becoming bitter.
  
• Harvesting: When the lower leaves reach 8-10 inches long, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer stems about 1 inch above the soil line. Always leave the central growing core untouched; it will regrow new leaves.
• Gardener's Tip: The fall harvest is legendary! For the sweetest, most tender flavor, plant this in late summer. The cool temperatures of fall, combined with a light frost, trigger the plant to convert starches into natural sugars.
  

Planting Calendar:

• Early Spring Crop:
  Direct Sow: March to April. 
  Harvest: May to June.
  
• Fall/Winter Crop (Highly Recommended):
  Direct Sow: July to August.
  Harvest: October through Early Winter (Survives heavy frost and snow).
  
• Mild Winter Zones (USDA 9-11):
  Can be sown from September to November.