(Brassica oleracea) Nero di Toscana (also referred to as Dinosaur or Lacinato kale in the US) has consistently been one of our best-selling seeds every year we have been in business! Thought by many to be the tastiest of the true kales and, due to its dark green color, likely the most nutritious. The variety type comes from the Tuscan hills of Italy, where it can be found in nearly every garden. The plants, with their long, blistered dark green leaves, are beautiful enough to be found in formal flower gardens here in the States. We are working with Smarties.bio to offer a highly selected version of what they consider to be the true form of the variety with shorter stalks, less branching, and slender leaves with fully curled margins. Like all kales, it becomes sweeter after frosts.
55-60 days. SMA

Packet: 200 seeds

*This seed has tested negative for both Black Leg (Phoma lingam) and Black Rot (Xanthomonas campestris) as required by the WA Dept of Ag crucifer seed quarantine.

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Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before your last hard frost.

Transplant out 4-6 week-old plants.

Direct seed early Spring.

Can be sown until mid-summer, 8 weeks before first Fall frost date.

Note: Seedlings will tolerate light frosts. Light to moderate frosts increase the sweetness of mature plants.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/4"

SPACING:

18-24" in rows 18-30" apart.

EMERGENCE:

4-10 days @ soil temp 60-75F.

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Moderate-Heavy. Slow-release fertilizers are beneficial for extended harvests of bunching greens. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist soil with moderate, balanced fertility and a pH between 6.0-7.5.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Prefers cooler seasons of Spring and Fall but will tolerate high heat.

Cold-hardy and will survive moderate frost.

Floating row covers can help protect against flea beetles.

Kale, 'Lapo' (Lacinato, Nero di Toscana)