How to Take Care of Ornamental Cabbage Plants

Ornamental cabbage plants are planted in the fall and their interesting colorful leaves are enjoyed during the cooler months of the year. They are, in fact, edible but are usually too bitter and tough and not the types of cabbages typically planted for edible purposes. Ornamental cabbages and ornamental kales are basically the same type of plants, according to Jimmy Turner of the Dallas Arboretum, though ornamental cabbage plants can be differentiated from ornamental kale by their broad, rounded leaves rather than curly leaves.

Organic matter
Fertilizer
Garden hose
Mulch
Pesticide

Instructions

- 1
  Plant ornamental cabbage plants in a site that has been amended richly with organic matter. Incorporating 4 to 6 inches of compost into the top 10 to 12 inches of soil at planting time helps create a rich, fertile soil bed where ornamental cabbage plants thrive.
- 2
  Grow ornamental cabbage plants in a garden bed that receives a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. In full sun, they will produce brighter, more colorful leaves.
- 3
  Fertilize ornamental cabbage plants at planting time using an all-purpose granular fertilizer. A balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, for example, works well. Since fertilizers contain different nutrient rates, read the label and apply a fertilizer amount it recommends.
- 4
  Water the soil frequently so it remains moist around your ornamental cabbage plants, which thrive in moist soil. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch can be added to help retain moisture, if desired.
- 5
  Spray ornamental cabbages with an herbicide that contains carbaryl to kill the cabbage looper, a common pest for these plants. Use as instructed on the label and dilute if necessary, but a ready-to-spray bottle will be easiest to apply.

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