To some degree, it may make a difference where you live. (Just one more reason why it's helpful for you to include your zone in every post.) In my zone, Kale grows all winter long, so I would not want to cut the entire plant. I harvest the larger lower leaves and leave the smaller top leaves to continue to grow. In this manner, I harvest continually from fall to spring from the same plants. Last year, I actually used Red Russian as the background of my pansy planting of Ultima Morpho pansies. It was a beautiful bed all winter and we ate from it too. But, if you live farther north, it might be better to harvest the entire plant. Red Russian Kale may just be my favorite green of all, and I like nearly all of them. It's delicious. Enjoy!

Sorry about the delay. Here is the recipe for the crust: 4 cups flour 1 egg 1 cup milk 1/2 cup crisco 2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder this makes enough for about 2 dozen pies, cut in rounds with a 5 1/4 inch circle, and later flattening the circles a little more to make them larger. this amount of filling makes enough for 10 dozen, so for two dozen (only one crust recipe) make one fifth 1/5 th. used 10+ lbs of the following greens: collards, brussels, cauliflower, radish, chard, beets, onion tops, celery, parsley. Used 5 onions (a mix of red, sweet and brown) - chopped Used 3 cups chopped sweet and hot smoked peppers salt and pepper. 5 lbs grated cheese. Used a mix of parmesan, swiss, goat cheddar and jack. First sautee onions in olive oil for a long time, add smoked peppers, greens, cook until all mingled. Add salt and pepper to taste and cheese. Cool the filling and fill the pies. Flatten dough with a roller and cut into 5 inch circles, put filling in the middle, fold and seal edges. We use about 2.3 oz in one pie filling. We fry these in hot oil but they can be baked too.

Irina, It is such fun to talk about the Russian and Uk AVs as they are exciting, recent developments. They are a unique breed. They are rugged and can withstand cooler temps. I would love to know what genetic material the Russian and Uk ladies use to create their extravagant "novelties." The breakthroughs they made look like a new species in the world of AVs. It is worth it to pay a few dollars more for such exotic, giant beauties. It is a dynamic, changing market. So if you find a Russ or Uk variety that is a good performer, it is a good idea to have a back-up. Before it vanishes. The Russ and Uk are into new market developments. Not into creating a vintage legacy.* If a person wants to have only 2 or 3 AVs, these offer great choices. In general, they are happy, fun, easy-going. I find the solid colors remain true and do not sport. The blooms are showy, long-lasting. The colors are true. They have achieved break-throughs in colors that Americans have not yet achieved. They brought AVs to a whole new level of horticulture. They also do not seem to need a lot of grooming, making them great gifts. The stories of how the Russian and Uk markets were first opened are fascinating. I believe it started when an exuberant, prominent Russian businessman first came to the U.S.A. AVSA national convention one year when it was held in Philadelphia. He met Paul Sorano of Lyndon Lyon's and began a long business friendship over several years. He went to many conventions, bought a lot of Lyon's plant material, and consulted with Paul Sorano. He was very successful in starting and developing businesses. When he became fascinated with AVs, he and immediately forged a lasting business and personal relationship. He gathered a group of business people and horticulturists and invited Paul Sorano to visit them and teach them everything. Paul Sorano went to Russia and the Ukraine countries and introducing AV plant material and cultivation where it had never been. Therefore, Russian AVs all started with Lyon's stock. But somewhere along the line, they discovered some secret ingredients, like Jack and the Beanstalk magical beans, to create amazing, intricate botanical wonders. Dating back in history, the Lyon's family include the very earliest hybridizers and are strong mentors of many others. They helped create the original AV industry we enjoy today. As a result of what Paul Sorano helped them achieve, the Russian government reveres Paul Sorano as a dignitary and has honored him in many ways for this significant horticultural development. In later years, Kent and Joyce Stork visited those countries and generously shared their horticultural knowledge and plant materials. The Russian reds probably have some of the red genetic material that both the Lyon's and Stork's labored so hard to develop. It seems that thanks to the businessman's excellent development of this market, AVs in those countries are enjoying wide-spread contemporary popularity among all, including the young. They are sold in retail stores dedicated to AVs. The conventions are enormous. They developed a quality product that captured popular national attention. For anyone who has not tried them, spread the joy. Include a few Russians or Uk's in your collections. *We U.S. American and perhaps Canadian collectors can still perserve our vintage AV legacy. However, we are also now able to share the fun of new and exciting developments. Joanne

i know this is an old thread but i was hoping Jenn A. or Sarah might answer. We have the same issue with red oak upstairs and on the stairs and white oak downstairs. Our white oak was damaged and has to be replaced so we were hoping to go with a lighter (non red/non pink) stain on all the floors. We’ve been told by our flooring guy that its impossible to match the red oak and white oak to be close enough in color to look good if we go lighter. We’re thinking we’ll have to replace the white oak with red oak so there will be continuity. How do your floors look between the two floors..is it a jarring difference between the red and white oak or is the difference ok in your opinion? Thank you..losing sleep over this decision…