Russian Red Kale, also known as Ragged Jack, is a curly kale with a sweet, mild flavor. As its name suggests, it is native to Russia but is widely cultivated in Eastern Europe.
Russian red kale, with its green, serrated leaves, can grow up to 1 meter tall. The veins of this cabbage are scarlet. Its leaves can be eaten young or mature; they retain a sweet taste regardless of their stage of maturity.

This cabbage prefers to be planted in full sun in soil with a pH around 6 - 6.5, but can also tolerate some shade. Plant one plant per square meter, as this variety is tall and wide. It matures within 50 days.

Successful sowing

Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep from February to June in a nursery bed 1 cm deep. Do not compact the soil to allow the seedlings to reach the light more easily.
To germinate, kale seeds require between 7°C and 20°C for approximately 10 days.

Planting kale

Transplant in place when the plants have 4 leaves, 80 cm apart in all directions, in fertile, deep, fresh and humus-rich soil, in a sunny location.
Mulch. Water at the base. Protect with a winter fleece if severe frost is forecast.

Kale thrives in rich, clayey soils, but will thrive in most types of soil as long as it is cool.

Harvest

Kale leaves are harvested from June to September.

The enemies

Slugs : Set up slug barriers around crops.

White butterfly : spray with tansy decoctions or install an insect net.