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General Information
This cabbage and broccoli relative features thick, smooth, edible leaves that grow in a loose rosette. The plant is a biennial, but often grown as an annual. It thrives in cool weather, at which point it tastes the best, especially if nipped by frost. The plant is also heat tolerant, however, and can be grown during warm months.. Reaches 2 1/2- to 3-feet-tall.
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Plant Care Instruction
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Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
January1. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.2. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.February1. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.2. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.March1. BuyBuy seed or transplants from the nursery.2. PlantPlant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.3. Sow SeedsSow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.4. FertilizeWhen planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.5. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.6. MulchApply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.7. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.8. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.9. TransplantTransplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.10. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.April1. BuyBuy seed or transplants from the nursery.2. PlantPlant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.3. Sow SeedsSow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.4. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.5. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.6. MulchApply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.7. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.8. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.9. TransplantTransplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.10. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.May1. BuyBuy seed or transplants from the nursery.2. PlantPlant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.3. Sow SeedsSow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.4. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.5. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.6. MulchMaintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.7. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.8. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.9. TransplantTransplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.10. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.June1. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.2. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.3. MulchMaintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.4. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.5. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.6. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.July1. FertilizeFeed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.2. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.3. MulchMaintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.4. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.5. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.6. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.August1. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.2. MulchMaintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.3. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.4. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.5. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.September1. BuyBuy seed or transplants from the nursery.2. PlantPlant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.3. Sow SeedsSow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.4. FertilizeWhen planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.5. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.6. MulchApply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.7. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.8. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.9. TransplantTransplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.10. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.October1. BuyBuy seed or transplants from the nursery.2. PlantPlant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.3. Sow SeedsSow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.4. FertilizeWhen planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.5. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.6. MulchApply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.7. Pest/Disease InspectionCheck for aphids, caterpillars and worms.8. Treat for Pest/DiseaseTreat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.9. TransplantTransplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.10. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.November1. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.2. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.December1. WaterKeep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.2. HarvestHarvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster. -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
January
Plant seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
March
Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.
April
Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.
May
Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.
September
Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.
October
Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
March
Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.
April
Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.
May
Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.
September
Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.
October
Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.
Sow Seeds
When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?
March
Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
April
Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
May
Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
September
Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
October
Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
March
When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
April
Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
May
Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
June
Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
July
Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
September
When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
October
When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
January
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
February
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
March
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
April
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
May
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
June
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
July
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
August
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
September
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
October
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
November
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
December
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.
Mulch
Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?
March
Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.
April
Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.
May
Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.
June
Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.
July
Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.
August
Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.
September
Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.
October
Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.
Pest/Disease Inspection
What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?
March
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
April
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
May
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
June
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
July
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
August
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
September
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
October
Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.
Treat for Pest/Disease
How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?
March
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
April
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
May
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
June
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
July
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
August
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
September
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
October
Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.
Transplant
When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?
March
Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.
April
Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.
May
Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.
September
Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.
October
Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.
Harvest
When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?
January
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
February
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
March
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
April
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
May
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
June
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
July
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
August
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
September
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
October
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
November
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
December
Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.
Make your own gardening to-do list today!