Monday, March 10, 2008

All HALE THE KALE


The Cabbage photo is one I took in mid January. Last fall I shared a picture of the cabbage seedlings that I started, and now I wanted to show what they look like at maturity.
Ornamental kale and Cabbage are planted here in early fall and continue to grow throughout the Winter. They don't seem to be bothered by the cold and now that we are in March they are starting to bolt because the temperatures are warming. All come from the same parentage as regular cabbage and kale, as well, as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kohlrabi, and cauliflower. Through selection in different areas of the world the same plant evolved into many forms.

The kale and cabbage I choose were shorter cultivars only getting about 14'' high. I like planting them with winter pansies for colour in the colder months. Usually they go in the ground in October around the same time I plant the fall bulbs.

17 comments:

Shady Gardener said...

Hale, Kale the gang's all here! Well, at least YOU are! We've missed you, Bob.

That is just a beautiful plant. It reminds me that I should try planting at least one. :-) (I assume they're inedible?)

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Anonymous said...

Hi Bob,

I've always admired Kale, but last fall was the first time I ever planted it. I combined it with ornamental grasses and fall mums to fill some planters. Until I went shopping for material for the planters, I had no idea that Kale came in different colors. I ended up using the green, creamy white and yellow Kale with white and yellow mums for one of the planters and the green and pink Kale with purple and pink mums in two other planters. I was so pleased with the results that I'll definitely do it again next fall.

Andrea's Garden said...

Hi Bob, ornamental cabbage has really been in style here these past years. I have never tried starting them myself though, but what a great idea. Don't be stranger! I missed your articles. The new job must keep you busy. Have a nice Palm Sunday, Andrea

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Anonymous said...

Bob: We missed you! Love the color coordinated post on kale. The season is just too short here to bed them out but I do put them in containers on occasion! Glad you're back!

KC MO Garden Guy said...

Hey Bob,
Glad your back. Love the look of Kale and have grown it a few times. It is grown here in the fall but usally does not survive the winter, unless it is a mild one.
Pansys survive the winter better under a nice layer of snow.
Looking forward to more posts.
Cliff

lisa said...

Nice! I've never grown this, but always wanted to try. I never realized it's planted in fall...I wonder how it would do this far north.

Catherine said...

Nice shot of the Kale!
I've never grown ornamental kale..but it looks so pretty in your photo, I might have to add them to my garden this year! Especially if they arent bothered by cold!
I've missed your post's!
Have a great weekend!
Cat

Anonymous said...

Well . . . if they can take the cold . . . I'm gonna plant some! They are so interesting and i wonder, can you eat them too??

I just dropped by to say hello
and to let you know there is a
little contest going on at My Serentity Garden
If you’d like to join in.
~Becky~

Anonymous said...

Bob, it is springtime and I keep coming to your blog wondering where you are. Hope all is well with you and the garden. Andrea

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Dirty Fingernails said...

it was in favor over the past here in the south. it has gone out of favor, because once it get hot, it bolts. And it bolts fast!! Looking fw. to what is going on back in my old stomping ground. Pacific NW