White Russian Kale
Best cold-hardy choice for gardeners seeking versatile, frost-sweetened greens.
Discover the exceptional taste of White Russian Kale, a highly favored variety that sweetens beautifully after a frost. This visually striking open-pollinated kale features blue-green foliage with contrasting white ribs. It's a versatile choice, perfect for harvesting as tender baby leaves or allowing to mature to full size. Protected by OSSI and independently tested for common diseases, this cold-hardy kale thrives in spring and fall gardens with moderate water needs.
$4.15
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
2
/ 5592
#2 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-61%
Below average
Days to Maturity
2150
/ days baby - full size
Who it's for
- Cool-season gardeners extending their harvest into late fall and winter
- Ornamental gardeners wanting vigorous, visually striking edible plants
- Salad lovers seeking tender leaves and a mild, sweet flavor
Who should skip it
- Hot-climate growers needing heat-resistant varieties that resist bolting
- Busy cooks requiring greens with a long post-harvest shelf life
- Organic gardeners unable to manage frequent brassica pest monitoring
Performance breakdown
Cold Hardiness
Exceptional frost tolerance significantly enhances flavor and extends the harvest season.
Harvest Versatility
Flexible growth cycle allows for both tender baby greens and mature leaves.
Disease Resistance
Independently tested genetics provide reliable protection against common garden pathogens.
Visual Appeal
Striking blue-green foliage and bright white ribs elevate garden aesthetics.
Germination Reliability
Open-pollinated, high-quality seeds ensure consistent performance for home gardeners.
Soil Adaptability
Robust root system handles moisture fluctuations better than many delicate varieties.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
21 days baby - 50 full size
Seeding Depth
1/4-1/2 inches
Direct Seeding Rate (Full size)
3 seeds every 12 inches, thin to 1 plant
Transplant Spacing
12-18 inches apart in rows 18-30 inches apart
Soil pH Requirement
6.0-7.5
Seed Count (approx)
1/32 oz approx. 225 seeds
Seeds per oz (average)
7.5M
Parent Category
Brassica napus
Features
- Exceptional taste, best after frost
- Visually appealing white ribs
- Harvest as baby leaf or full size
- Excellent cold-hardy performance
- OSSI protected, open-pollinated
- Tolerates wet soil
- Moderately serrated leaf texture
- Grows up to 30 inches tall
What customers say
Gardeners overwhelmingly praise White Russian Kale for its superior culinary quality and reliable performance. Reviewers consistently highlight its exceptional germination rates, confirming the high quality of the organic seed stock. The flavor is a major draw; this variety offers a tender texture and a sweet, mild taste, lacking the bitterness often found in mature kale, making it excellent raw or lightly cooked. Furthermore, its cultivation is easy, suitable for all skill levels. The kale demonstrates remarkable cold tolerance, extending the harvest season, and produces consistently vigorous yields. Customers view this delicious, high-performing heirloom as an essential, trustworthy addition to their organic gardens, justifying the cost through consistent results and excellent palatability.
Know before you buy
Yes, White Russian Kale is excellent for baby leaf production. You can begin harvesting tender leaves as early as 21 days after planting.
Yes, the cold temperatures trigger the plant to convert starches into sugars, which significantly improves the flavor profile. It is a classic trait of this variety that makes it a favorite for late-season harvests.
For full-sized plants, you should space them 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 30 inches wide. If direct seeding, place three seeds every 12 inches and thin them to a single plant once they are established.
White Russian Kale is known for its resilience and ability to tolerate wetter soil conditions better than many other varieties. However, it still performs best in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Being OSSI (Open Source Seed Initiative) protected means this variety is pledged to remain free from patents or restrictive intellectual property. It ensures that the seeds can be saved, replanted, and shared by gardeners and farmers for generations to come.
When allowed to mature fully, White Russian Kale typically reaches a height of approximately 30 inches. It is a robust, open-pollinated variety that produces striking blue-green foliage with distinct white ribs.
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