Kale (Brassica oleracea - Acephala Group) Gardening
Kale (Brassica oleracea - Acephala Group) is a leafy green vegetable with health promoting and sulfur-containing phytonutrients. There are several varieties of kale: curly kale, ornamental kale, and dinosaur (Lacinato or Tuscan), all of which differ in appearance, texture and taste.
Curly kale has dark green ruffled leaves and a fibrous stalk, with a pungent flavor and a slight peppery qualities.
Ornamental kale has green, white, or purple leaves, with stalks that form a loosely knit head. The texture is tender with a more mellow flavor.
Dinosaur kale is the common name give to Lacinato or Tuscan kale. It has dark bluish green leaves with an embossed texture. The taste is sweeter and more delicate than curly kale.
Kale prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil of pH 6.0-7.0. It does not do well in hot weather, but doesn't mind the cold. Kale is rich in Vitamins A and C, high in potassium, calcium and iron, and is a good source for fiber.
Ornamental kale
Author: Terren (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
|
