Red Russian/Siberian Kale: Sweeter than traditional varieties

This rare kale variety has red-purple veins on slate-green, wavy-margined leaves. Cool weather intensifies its color.

The grey-green leaves turn purple in cold weather. This delicious grey-green kale is pretty enough to plant among the flowers. It is much larger than regular kale (2 to 3' tall), the stems are purplish and the leaves are shaped like big oak leaves and colored a velvety gray green. The purple colors become richer after frost, when the flavor becomes sweeter. Surprisingly, the big leaves are very tender and delicious. Plants may be left outdoors all winter. Frost improves flavor

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Biennial
Days to Maturity: 50-65 (Spring/Summer), 70-85 (Fall/Winter)
Hardiness: Hardy
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm
Outdoor Growing Temp: 0°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F
Tolerates light frost and hard frost
Needs summer shade
Hardiness Zone" 3-11

How many Kale plants to plant in an EarthBox-type SIP?

Kale can get pretty large and one approach is to plant 3-4 per side (6-8 total with fertilizers down the middle). Chard can be planted 5 per side (10 total).

Does it grow indoors?

Yes, kale can be grown indoors under grow lights.

A Tougher Breed of Kale that's more suited to the Florida climate: Highland Kale (aka Ethiopian Kale or Ethiopian Blue Mustard), Brassica carinata. Florida Survival Gardening: http://buff.ly/1xk1HIn

References:

Kale: Red Russian Overview - Plant Guide http://bit.ly/Vcu6i8
Red Russian Kale at Burpee.com http://bit.ly/14PaeUF
http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-kale/
http://www.harvesttotable.com/2008/04/russian_red_kalerussian_red_ka/
http://rareseeds.com/russian-red-or-ragged-jack.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4mKPAyOlIk
http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kale.pdf
http://blog.growthisnthat.co.uk/everything-need-know-growing-kale/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-red-russian-kale-container-22324.html
http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/kale/
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-21/lifestyle/35449730_1_lacinato-kale-varieties
http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2013/02/video-wednesday-growing-kale-indoors.html
Growing Cool Weather Kale | Veggie Gardener http://bit.ly/WPQ1Pf
Kale, Kale, and More Kale - The Greening of Gavin http://bit.ly/1oYlUna