Brassica napussubsp.pabularia‘Red Russian’

If you ’re looking for a dulcet and tender assortment of shekels for your garden , look no further than ‘ Red Russian . ’

This heirloom variety has big leave that are softer than other varieties , make it a welcome change from fall greens that take lots of cookery .

This variety also has a unequalled appearance with its frilly green leaves and royal - red stems . In fact , some people even tame it just for ornamental purposes , bring rich color to their fall gardens .

Close up picture of Russian red kale leaves growing on the plant. Ranging from light green to pale purple, the flat leaves with jagged edges are pictured in bright sunshine.

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This cultivar is grown in a standardised wayto other salmagundi of bread , but I ’ll provide the details for develop ‘ Red Russian ’ below .

What You’ll Learn

What Is ‘Red Russian’ Kale?

This particular cultivar ofBrassica oleraceavar.viridisis also known as ragged seafarer and sweet red . Flatter than other cultivars and with toothed edges , its leaves are also the most tender and mild of all change .

Due to its soreness , ‘ Red Russian ’ is often grown for baby putting green . These diminished leaves make great additions to salads .

The bright purpleness halt differentiate this variety from ‘ White Russian ’ . This purple color indicates the presence of compounds called anthocyanins .

A vertical close up picture of bunches of harvested ‘Red Russian’ kale. The purple stems and veins contrast with the light green leaves. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

harmonize to a 2017 subject field in theFood and Nutrition Research Journal , anthocyanins supply a number of health benefit including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties .

When and How to Plant

This cultivar has similar requirements to other types of kale . It should be planted in full sunand provided with about half an inch of weewee a hebdomad .

However , as with all crop , water more in hotter conditions and less in cooler conditions .

‘ Red Russian ’ is cold intrepid , just like other varieties . It can tolerate some heat , but it does best in colder conditions .

A vertical close up picture of bunches of harvested ‘Red Russian’ kale. The purple stems and veins contrast with the light green leaves. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

Therefore , it is best grown in the spring and again in the fall .

If you arestarting seeds indoors to graft , select a sowing particular date based on yourgrowing zona :

These transplant will be ready to plant out into your garden after three to four weeks . At this point , plant the seedlings a infantry apart .

A close up of Brassica oleracea plants growing in the garden. With light purple stems and green leaves contrasting with the dark earthy soil, in light sunshine.

If there is still peril of Robert Frost , protect your transplants withfloating words covers .

If you are direct - seeding , sow come in your garden after the last hoarfrost in the springtime . you could keep sowing seeds until daytime temperature are above 80ºF.

you’re able to sow seeds once again in August through September . The late you should sow in seeds outside is two week before your predicted first frost particular date .

A close up of a red seedling tray containing nine plants of the ‘Red Russian’ variety. Some of the leaves are a deep purple, others mid to dark green. The background is a light stone surface with a little moss, in soft focus.

An easy way to plant is to sow a single rowing of seeds spaced an in apart . As seedlings issue , you’re able to thin themto a foot apart for full - sized plant , or forbear from thin at all if you want to harvest baby greens .

Get more peak for planting and grow in ourgeneral guide to growing kale .

Crop Management: Pests and Disease

The ‘ Red Russian ’ variety is a relatively loose crop to manage . But there are some common problems to depend out for . you’re able to read and treating wilting leavesandyellow and cutting leaves .

This type of leafy green vegetable is also susceptible to damage from insects includingaphidsandcabbage worms .

float row covers can keep out a figure of common pestilence , and a strong spray with the hosepipe or paw pick can help to eradicate others . Natural insect powder include neem crude and insecticidal Georgia home boy can also help to criticize down infestation .

A close up of a Brassica oleracea leaf on a burlap background. The leaf is green, with purple stems and veins and has droplets of water on the surface. In the background is a darker colored leaf, pictured in bright light.

Be sure to read label cautiously , and utilise products that are certified as food secure .

How to Harvest

Whether you transfer or straight ejaculate , baby gelt of this variety is quick for crop 25 days after sow , and full - sized leaves can typically be harvested after 50 Clarence Day .

Due to the shortening day of declination , your plants will mature more slowly in the spill than in the spring .

This variety isharvested in the same way of life as other types of kale . One significant tip to remember is to only harvest the outer leaves , and never the interior portions of new growth .

A close up, top down picture of a Red Russian kale variety growing in the garden. Droplets of water on the light green leaves, and purple stems. The background is soil in soft focus.

This countenance the plant to continue to make unexampled leaves , providing you with multiple harvests .

Post harvest , I ’ve mark this cultivar incline to droop faster than other greens . To keep wilting , reap early in the morning while it is still nerveless outside . Make certain to take the leaves out of the sun cursorily after you ’ve collected them .

To remove field heat bestow by the sun in the veggie patch and to keep droop post - harvest , dunk the leave in a tub of cold water . you may then stash away leaves in a formative bag or container inside your icebox .

Metal baskets at a market containing ‘Red Russian’ kale on the left of the screen, in bunches with elastic band around them. To the right of the screen are plastic bags containing bunches of arugula and asian spinach. In front of the metal trays are black signs with the name of the vegetables written in white.

Russian and Siberian species and cultivars are sometime left to originate for a second time of year and their flower bud are reap and areknown as kale rabe or napini .

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

This type is great served raw in salad due to its tender grain and sweet-scented taste . In fact , consort toUniversity of Wisconsin Extension , a scant Robert Frost can increase its sugariness . I ’ve noticed this too .

To love this sweetness , try it with grapefruit , Malus pumila , and red Allium cepa in thissalad recipe from our sis land site , Foodal .

Or impart an avocado and gamboge dressing to give it a pleasurably creamy grain . You ’ll recover a formula for creamy and colourful raw moolah saladalso on Foodal .

A close up of a metal basket containing freshly harvested Brassica oleracea leaves. The purple stems and veins contrast with the deep green leaves. The background is a wooden surface.

This type of leafy green also lends itself well to various cookery method . One of my favorite ways to prepare it is to quickly saute the leave in olive oil with onion and ail .

cook this way , it makes a great topping for grits , or a delicious companion for a deep-fried egg .

you could also try supply it to some alimentary paste with Citrus limon and high mallow as inthis recipe from Foodal , or using it in pesto .

Sweet and Tender

If you ’re hesitant about develop your own bread because you ’re afraid it might be sturdy or acerb , give ‘ Red Russian ’ a endeavour . I ’ve always loved its legal tender texture and somewhat gratifying taste .

And read these articles next tolearn more about this nerveless conditions crop :

© necessitate the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock . extra composition and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu . First published November 16th , 2019 . Last updated March 18th , 2022 .

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Briana Yablonski