Seeds
A nutrient-dense and visually striking leafy green with deeply lobed, reddish-purple leaves.
Red Kale offers a slightly sweeter and more tender profile than traditional green varieties, making it exceptional for raw salads when massaged. The red and purple hues actually deepen and become sweeter after a light frost, extending your harvest into the colder months. It is a vigorous, upright grower that is packed with antioxidants, perfect for smoothies, baking into chips, or sautéing.
Light
Grows best in full sun, at least 6 hours a day, and also does well in partial shade. In warmer months afternoon shade helps keep the leaves tender and sweet.
Water
Needs regular, even watering to keep the leaves tender, roughly 2.5 cm a week, though it is more forgiving of dry spells than many greens. Mulch the soil and water deeply rather than often.
Humidity
Average humidity suits it. Water at soil level and keep plants spaced for airflow, as cabbage worms and aphids are more active in warm, still weather.
Temperature
Grows well through the cool months, about 8 to 30 C, and the red and purple colour deepens and sweetens in cooler weather. In 35 C+ heat it can survive in shade with mulch and regular water, though leaves turn tougher and it may flower. Sow from October to February on the plains.
Pets and children
Pet-safe
Soil
Fertile, well drained soil rich in organic matter. Dig in plenty of compost or vermicompost before sowing, since kale is a hungry crop that needs a nutrient rich bed.
Fertilizer
Kale is a heavy feeder. Add nitrogen rich compost at planting and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks through the growing season, harvesting the outer leaves to keep it productive.
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