FRESH PICK WHAT TO PLANT THIS WEEK KALE.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Staff Writer

Kale is one cool cabbage.

It not only looks great in the flower bed with other fall flowers and can be used as an ornamental element of Thanksgiving centerpieces, it can also be eaten.

An anti-oxidant vegetable that tastes similar to spinach when steamed or sauteed, a single serving of kale provides 36.0 grams of vitamin C and 68.7 grams of vitamin A, says Virginia Tracy of the University of California Master Gardener Hotline.

VARIETIES AVAILABLE: There are several types of kale, but the curly-leafed varieties such as Dwarf Blue Curled and Dwarf Siberian form very compact clusters, which make them an architectural standout in the flower bed, and they are among the most Valley-friendly. Other types of kale, such as red cabbage and salad savoy, are more leafy and used primarily for cooking, much like their cousin the collard.

GETTING STARTED: Nurseries are now stocked with kale that looks about the size of a head of iceberg lettuce and can be planted now through the end of November in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding desert area. It will grow in almost any area of the yard but prefers full sun. As with any new plant, you'll want to dig up the soil and mix with plant food or fertilizer safe for edible plants. Water well after planting.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE: As the heads of kale grow - up to a foot tall - you'll want to trim the bottom leaves to keep them looking manicured. Kale is very hearty and not prone to pests and disease problems like other members of the cabbage family, but you can avoid attracting pests and mildew by always watering the ground with a soaker rather than over-the-top watering. When harvesting for eating, pick the leaves from the outside.

LANDSCAPING TIPS: Kale is a good companion to other fall favorites such as chrysanthemums, snapdragons and Iceland poppies, which come in a variety of autumn shades, including orange, yellow and salmon. In a vegetable garden, it's happy next to any winter variety of vegetable, says Tracy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bookstores and nurseries offer a variety of books on vegetable gardening, but you can also learn about kale in the ``Sunset Western Garden Book'' (Sunset; $32.95). If you'd like to plant an entire vegetable garden but don't have the space, call the Sepulveda Garden Center at [phone]. They rent plots, offer classes and have plant sales.

Another source of gardening help is the University of California Master Gardener Hotline at [phone]. They also have a book, ``California Master Gardener Handbook'' (Communications Services, University of California; $30), that you can order by calling [phone] or visiting anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu.

HORTICULTURE 101

You've heard friends talking about their thriving thunbergia and how they grow their own allium for seasoning - but you're clueless? The fat but small ``Botanica's Encyclopedia'' (Laurel Glen; $19.95) will tell you everything you need to know to jump into the next gardening conversation with ease. The book is written like a dictionary, divided into flowers, trees, vegetables - even climbers and creepers - with quick descriptions and lots of photographs. In case you can't wait, thunbergia is a climbing vine and allium is the umbrella name for leeks, onions, scallions and shallots ... and if you don't like them, keep in mind that the Egyptians regarded them as sacred and therefore never ate them.

- B.D.

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(color) Kale, available at nurseries in pots for transplanting, is rich in vitamins A and C.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

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HORTICULTURE 101 (see text)