When fall and winter rolls around, gardeners can either pack up their garden tools or continue their passion throughout the cooler seasons of the year. Ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is the perfect cool season annual to add color and interest to the fall and winter garden. As long as temperatures remain above 5 degrees Fahrenheit, ornamental kale can survive. It's known for its colorful leaves, ranging from white to pink to purple, and is best planted in the garden from transplants when nighttime temperatures begin to dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grow ornamental kale in full sun about 10 to 14 inches apart in rich, organic soil. Plant ornamental kale so that the base foliage is at ground level, planting the stems and root balls deeper than you would for other types of plants.
Fertilize ornamental kale during the growing season, starting at planting time. Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, applying about 1 1/2 tsp. per plant. Sprinkle the granules evenly around the edge of the plant, covering the area that is 2 to 4 inches from the base. Then, scratch it lightly into the soil about 1/2 to 1 inch deep with a rake and apply 1 inch of water to help settle the fertilizer into the soil. Reapply the fertilizer once a month until your plants reach their mature size.
Water ornamental kale if the soil dries out about 1 inch deep. Water with 1 inch of water so the water seeps deep into the soil. If your fall and winters are normally wet, you might not need to water them at all.
Examine your ornamental kale thoroughly, including the underside of the leaves for eggs, larvae, brown fecal matter and caterpillars every one to two weeks. Cabbage worms, for instance, can cause damage to your kale, even during the winter. If you see fewer than nine larvae, no special care may be needed. However, if your plants are infested and signs of damage are noticeable, then treatment may be needed. You can use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is a natural pesticide and effective on many caterpillars without harming their natural enemies. Apply any chemicals as directed on the label, but usually you spray it directly on the leaves where larvae are present.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hose
- Insecticide (optional)
- University of California Cooperative Extension, Central Coast and South Region: Ornamental Kale
- The University of Tennessee Gardens: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
- University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Cole Crops
- Colorado State University Extension: Bacillus Thuringiensis
- North Carolina State University: Fertilizer Conversions
- Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chemung County: Fertilizing Garden Soils
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