- Botanical name: Brassica oleracea 'Ragged Jack'
- Common name: Kale
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
Yellow
- Key features:
- Prefers rich soil
- Attractive to wildlife
Also known as ‘Russian Red’, Brassica oleracea ‘Ragged Jack’ is a pre-1885 heirloom variety, originally from Siberia but introduced to Canada by Russian traders. It bears oak-leaf type, frilly, tender leaves with a red tinge and purple-red stems. They’re sweet enough to eat raw in salads or stewed for a multitude of other uses. Pretty and unfussy, it’s well-suited to growing in an ornamental border in the garden. If allowed to flower it can be a vital source of nectar and pollen for early bees, and will self-seed readily.
Sow Brassica oleracea ‘Ragged Jack’ in modules, and transplant 6-8 weeks later, planting them firmly together in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. Weed and water well until fully established.
How to grow Brassica 'Ragged Jack'
-
Plant size
35cm height
35cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do Collect seeds in May |
J
Do Collect seeds in June |
J
Do not Collect seeds in July |
A
Do not Collect seeds in August |
S
Do not Collect seeds in September |
O
Do not Collect seeds in October |
N
Do not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do not Harvest in August |
S
Do not Harvest in September |
O
Do Harvest in October |
N
Do Harvest in November |
D
Do Harvest in December |
Brassica 'Ragged Jack' and wildlife
Brassica 'Ragged Jack' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Brassica 'Ragged Jack' poisonous?
Brassica 'Ragged Jack' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
