Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
$3.00
Mature Plant Size: 18-24″x18-24″
Days to Harvest: 50-60 days
Red Russian Kale is a tender, flat-leaved heirloom kale with distinctive purple-veined, oak-shaped leaves and a milder, sweeter flavor than curly kale — especially after a light frost sweetens it further.
At Flying Rabbit Farm, our Red Russian Kale transplants are grown for tender leaf texture and strong cold hardiness suited to Austin’s fall and winter gardens.
5 in stock
Moderate, consistent watering
More drought tolerant than lettuce once established
Feed every 3-4 weeks with balanced organic fertilizer for continued leaf production
Harvest outer leaves continuously, leaving the center to keep producing
Cabbage worms and loopers
Aphids
Flavor improves and sweetens after a light frost
Fall is the primary and most reliable kale season in Austin; sweetens noticeably after the first frost
Excellent cut-and-come-again producer through the mild Central Texas winter
Primary planting window; grows steadily as temperatures cool
Excellent cold tolerance; continues producing through frost and light freezes
Continues from fall plantings until bolting; can also be planted fresh for a shorter run
Bolts and turns bitter in heat; not recommended
Fall (September-October) is the primary window; can also be planted in early spring
Ideal soil temperatures: 45-75 F
Full sun to part shade
Minimum 5-6 hours daily
12-18 inches apart
Well-draining, fertile soil
Compost-amended beds preferred
pH 6.0-7.5
Water deeply at transplanting
Keep evenly moist until established
Kale is generally considered non-toxic to:
Large quantities fed regularly are best avoided due to its thyroid-affecting compounds, but occasional small amounts are safe.
