What To Know
- If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, eye-catching plant to brighten your autumn garden, learning how to grow ornamental kale from seed is a rewarding experience.
- Ornamental kale is a low-maintenance plant that will add a burst of color and texture to your garden throughout the fall.
- While ornamental kale is a relatively hardy plant, it typically reaches the end of its life cycle in late winter or early spring.
Ornamental kale, with its vibrant hues and intricate, ruffled leaves, is a striking addition to any fall garden. Unlike its edible cousin, this variety is grown solely for its beauty, adding a splash of color and texture to your landscape as temperatures cool. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, eye-catching plant to brighten your autumn garden, learning how to grow ornamental kale from seed is a rewarding experience.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Seeds and Timing
The first step in growing ornamental kale from seed is selecting the right varieties. With a wide range of colors and leaf shapes available, you’ll find options to suit any style.
- Color: Consider shades of red, purple, white, green, and even pink for a vibrant display.
- Leaf Shape: Choose from deeply frilled, lacy leaves or varieties with more rounded, cabbage-like foliage.
Timing is Key: Ornamental kale is a cool-season crop, thriving in temperatures between 40°F and 70°F. To enjoy blooms throughout the fall and early winter, start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your region. This allows the plants to establish a strong root system before being transplanted outdoors.
Preparing for Success: Sowing Seeds Indoors
1. Seed Starting Mix: Choose a seed starting mix specifically designed for vegetables or herbs. This mix offers excellent drainage and aeration, crucial for healthy seedling development.
2. Seed Trays or Pots: Opt for seed trays with individual cells or small pots. This allows for easy transplanting without disturbing the roots.
3. Filling the Trays: Moisten the seed starting mix and fill the trays or pots, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top.
4. Sowing the Seeds: Each cell or pot should only contain one seed. Gently press the seed about ¼ inch deep into the soil and cover with a thin layer of mix.
5. Watering and Light: Lightly mist the soil to keep it moist. Place the trays or pots in a bright location, but avoid direct sunlight.
6. Germination: Ornamental kale seeds typically germinate within 7-14 days. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering.
Transplanting Your Kale: Moving to the Garden
Once your seedlings have developed a few true leaves (the leaves that appear after the first two seed leaves), it’s time to transplant them outdoors.
1. Hardening Off: To acclimate your seedlings to outdoor conditions, gradually introduce them to the sun and wind. Place the trays or pots outdoors for a few hours each day, increasing the time gradually over a week.
2. Choosing a Location: Ornamental kale prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
3. Planting Depth: Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball of your seedlings. Plant them at the same depth they were growing in their trays or pots.
4. Watering: Water your newly transplanted kale thoroughly. Continue to water regularly, especially during dry periods.
Caring for Your Ornamental Kale: Tips for Success
1. Regular Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering. Ornamental kale prefers well-drained soil.
2. Fertilizing: While ornamental kale is not a heavy feeder, fertilizing once a month with a balanced fertilizer can encourage healthy growth.
3. Pest and Disease Control: Ornamental kale is generally pest and disease-resistant. However, keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids and cabbage worms. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control these pests.
4. Deadheading: To encourage continuous blooming, pinch off any spent flower stalks.
5. Winter Protection: In colder climates, ornamental kale may need some protection during harsh winters. Mulching around the plants with straw or leaves can help insulate the roots.
Enjoying Your Ornamental Kale: A Colorful Fall Display
Ornamental kale is a low-maintenance plant that will add a burst of color and texture to your garden throughout the fall. Its vibrant hues and intricate foliage create a striking contrast against the backdrop of autumn foliage.
The End of the Season: A Farewell to Vibrant Colors
While ornamental kale is a relatively hardy plant, it typically reaches the end of its life cycle in late winter or early spring. As temperatures rise and the days lengthen, the leaves may start to fade and lose their vibrant colors.
1. Seed Collection: If you’re looking to grow ornamental kale from seed again next year, you can collect seeds from your existing plants. Allow the seed pods to mature and dry on the plant, then collect the seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.
2. Removing the Plants: Once the leaves have faded and the plants have started to decline, remove them from the garden and discard them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I grow ornamental kale in containers?
Yes, ornamental kale can be grown successfully in containers. Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches wide and deep to allow for adequate root growth.
2. What are some companion plants for ornamental kale?
Ornamental kale pairs well with other cool-season annuals like pansies, violas, and snapdragons.
3. Can I eat ornamental kale?
While ornamental kale is not toxic, it is not recommended for consumption. Its leaves are often bitter and may have a slightly unpleasant taste.
4. Does ornamental kale attract pollinators?
Ornamental kale does produce small flowers, but they are not as attractive to pollinators as other flowering plants.
5. Can I grow ornamental kale in different climates?
Ornamental kale thrives in cool climates. If you live in a warmer region, you may need to choose a shady location and water more frequently to keep the plants cool and moist.
