THE CHINESE CABBAGES - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 84

has flowering kale come out of hiding among the annuals and perennials and been ad-
mitted to the suddenly fashionable company of edibles.
Appearance
The ornamental feature of flowering kale (or flowering cabbage) — aside from its per-
fect shape — is the spectacular range of colors the foliage turns upon exposure to cold
weather. Individual plants look like huge cabbage roses and come in striking combina-
tions of red, pink, and green.
How to Grow
Getting started. It seems a waste to plant flowering kale in the vegetable garden, so I
usually reserve it for a container or bed that is otherwise full of flowers and herbs. It
makes an excellent bedding plant because it stays nicely within bounds, and it's neat
and precise looking.
Planting. Sow seeds in rich loamy soil ½ inch deep and 8 to 10 inches apart, in rows 16
inches apart. If you want to start your seeds in flats, these seedlings transplant easily;
just disturb them as little as possible when moving into the open garden.