This year’s cool season weather pattern appears to have been designed with flowering kale in mind.
Flowering kale is high on the list of all of the wonderful, cool season plants. Its brilliant, colorful foliage premieres in October and November and lasts through April, bringing the winter garden alive.
Flowering kale excels in partnerships with other cool season annuals. Try kale in beds with brightly colored pansies, violas or dianthus. The colors will intensify as the temperatures start to get cold.
There are many more kale varieties than most gardeners realize. The Chidori series with its fringed, ruffled leaves and intense colors has become the most popular. The Peacock and Sparrow series are among the prettiest and they’re highly recommended.
One of the more striking varieties however is the Mississippi Medallion award-winning Redbor kale. This time of year the leaves are a deep dark purple.
Kale and cabbage need good drainage and must be kept moist and fed, to keep them growing vigorously. University of Florida research has shown that water-soluble fertilizers, the type you mix and apply in liquid form, work best during the cool season. So apply fertilizer every three to four weeks.
Flowering kale and cabbage are not eaten, but the leaves do make very decorative garnishes. I’m Norman Winter for Southern Gardening.