Oh, dear, I've done a 'silly'!

[tim]

Wondered why my kale was not as sweet as last year.

It's Red Winter, not Red Russian!

So - start again!!

[tim]

[betula]

Woops............. :)

[Kea]

Well it had 'Red' in both names!

[GrannieAnnie]

Tim, at your recommendation I've planted the Red Russian this Spring. Do you cook the outer leaves or the whole plant. Does it regrow?  The packet says it tastes better after a frost. Is that what you've found or can a sneak a taste now?  So far no pests on it.
Sorry about your Winter Kale. Maybe it has something to recommend it over the other?

[djbrenton]

Last year I was excited to get hold of this newly introduced yellow fleshed potato from Mexico called Mayan Gold. The results were disappointing as the flesh wasn't yellow at all. I then rechecked the bag and I'd bought Yukon Gold.

[tim]

Grannie -- I'm not the expert here, but I've been picking our 'Winter's'smallest leaves for a while.

I would prefer it if there were more smaller leaves, which are more tender. But although it is not as sweet as Russian, eaten raw. it is acceptable cooked.

Don't know about frost - our 'Russian' was always sweet raw.

[GrannieAnnie]

Grannie -- I'm not the expert here, but I've been picking our 'Winter's'smallest leaves for a while.

I would prefer it if there were more smaller leaves, which are more tender. But although it is not as sweet as Russian, eaten raw. it is acceptable cooked.

Don't know about frost - our 'Russian' was always sweet raw.

will try. thank you.

[calendula]

Tim - even juniors have senior moments  ;D they have their place

I've always found the red russian never to be very red, sort of grey/reddish/lilac colour - for a really red one you could try 'redbor', is quite curly as well

I like all the kales after a frost and always cook them but might try them raw sometime

[tim]

Hi, Junior!! Yes - I don't expect red, & I love their actual colour.

But 'after frost' - how can one wait that long??

Raw? SO sweet & tender.

[calendula]

right, I will try it - always take advice from the people with wisdom  :)

[GrannieAnnie]

Maybe the "red" part doesn't mean color, but Communist, huh?

[tim]

I may be up the creek here, but I read that Red Winter is B.olearaceae (Acelpha) whereas Red Russian is B.napus.

Compare them here!!