Brassica oleracea (Capitata Group)Lacinto kale
科:十字花科
Family:Brassicaceae
属:芸薹属
common name:Lacinto kale
introduce:Plant Type: Annual
Family: Brassicaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: Europe
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: -
Bloom Color:
Sun: Full sun (only)
Water: Dry to medium moisture
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Sow seeds in flats in May and June, transplant into well-drained garden spot in July and August when 4 to 6" high planting 18" apart. Tolerates poor soil. Keep bed cultivated. Frost and snow hardy. Can also be seeded under glass in January and February for harvesting like spinach when 6" high. Roots will resprout.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
One of the best sources of winter and spring greens. Harvest small young leaves starting in November. Strip ground to stimulate new side shoots for February through May. Harvest entire shoot when 4 to 5" long. Frost improves flavor. Eat fresh or chopped for stews and soups. Some older varieties such as Ragged Jack?are perennial.
Least troubled of Brassicas; however, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or remove cabbage worms by hand to keep leaves intact.
Uses:
Ornamental kales come in white, pink, purple, green, red, and blue. Ornamentals are edible but considerably less tasty than those selected for culinary use.
