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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: mikey on April 22, 2009, 10:06:30

Title: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: mikey on April 22, 2009, 10:06:30
Information and comments please ...........

I have been given a few 'Ragged Jack' Kale seeds, never heard of it before.
Quick Internet search reveals it is a tough - tough hardy perennial and the leaves are tasty

Has anyone grown it and what does it taste like ?, growing and cooking hints appreciated.

'Daubenton' appears to be a better quality plant but can only be grown from cuttings, does anyone have a couple of cuttings I could have a try with ? happy to swap and/or pay postage

thanks
Mikey
Title: Re: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: Old bird on April 22, 2009, 11:16:30
Could they be what is known as Russian Kale?  It is raggety in appearance and reddish in colour at base!

I am trying to grow it for the first time this year - but i have planted Red Russian Kale!  It is apparently far superior in taste to the other kales!

I will watch this thread with interest.

Old Bird

;D
Title: Re: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: saddad on April 22, 2009, 11:53:41
HSL have offered Ragged Jack, and Daubenton (?) I think, why should it be only from cuttings?  :-X
Title: Re: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: froglets on April 22, 2009, 12:30:17
I did Red Russian from seed last year and not only is it good tasting but a very handsome plant too.  This year I'm doing Red Ursa which appearantky has Red Russian as a parent.

Cheers
Title: Re: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: mikey on April 22, 2009, 12:57:43
Quote from: saddad on April 22, 2009, 11:53:41
HSL have offered Ragged Jack, and Daubenton (?) I think, why should it be only from cuttings?  :-X

Oldbird + Froglets thanks for comments

Saddad, why only from cuttings ? ..... a good question, maybe does not come true from seed, or does not set viable seed

cheers Mikey
Title: Re: 'Ragged Jack' Kale + 'Daubenton Kale'
Post by: artichoke on April 23, 2009, 06:37:13
I am a great fan  of Ragged Jack/Red Russian. Got it first from an elderly neighbour in the 70s. It stands the winter, then rapidly puts out delicate fingered leaves in profusion. The winter leaves are tough, of course, but I leave them on, and the new leaves are as tender as spinach, and need only a few minutes in boiling water. Butter, lemon, perhaps a scraping of nutmeg.