Winter Kale

One group of cool-season plants that is a must-have in my home landscape is kale. There are so many varieties, shapes, and colors that look great and are edible. Let’s take a look at some I’m growing this winter. Earlier this fall I found lots of interesting kale in my garden. My favorite garden center had transplants from many varieties. I love the mix of textures and foliage colors of the purple, green, and blue varieties. I have them growing in my new raised bed along with Matrix and Cool Wave pansies, and Telstar dianthus. I also grow kale in my subirrigated EarthBoxes. Along with the Kale Storm Mix, a variety that I adore is Nagoya kale. Nagoya Kale has a uniform rosette growth habit and produces colorful, attractive fringed leaves. Combination plant this colorful kale for the autumn to the winter season with pansy and viola. In the back, I’m growing Curly Kale which is a pretty blue-green kale. This vigorous plant has frilly leaves growing lushly on compact plants. I harvest the outer leaves so the center can continue growing. I think light frosts makes the leaves even tastier. It’s easy to grow and will keep me supplied for months. And of course, growing kale, which is a super food, means fresh homemade kale chips. Email me at southerngardening@msstate.edu and I’ll send you the recipe. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.