Description

Tuscan Black Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia), known in Italian as Cavolo Nero Toscano, is a traditional Italian leafy vegetable prized for its long, narrow, dark green leaves with a distinctive wrinkled texture. Also known as Lacinato Kale or Dinosaur Kale, this attractive variety produces upright foliage without forming a compact cabbage head.

With its rich, earthy flavour and tender leaves when cooked, Tuscan Black Kale is perfect for soups, stews, pasta dishes, sautéed vegetables and traditional Italian recipes such as Tuscan ribollita. Its excellent leaf production makes it a productive addition to home vegetable gardens.

🌱 Growing Instructions

☀️ Sunlight: Prefers full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Benefits from partial afternoon shade during warmer weather.

💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Regular watering encourages tender leaves and healthy growth.

🌱 Soil: Plant in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter.

🌡️ Temperature: Grows best between 10°C–22°C. Tolerates cool winter temperatures well, while excessive summer heat can affect leaf quality.

📏 Spacing: Allow approximately 40–50 cm between plants for healthy foliage development and good air circulation.

🌾 Fertilizer: Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth, following product instructions.

✂️ Harvesting: Pick the lower, outer leaves as needed, leaving the central growing point intact. Young leaves can generally be harvested 50–70 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions. Regular harvesting encourages continued leaf production.

🌿 Local Growing Tips (Malta)

Best planting season: September to February, for growing and harvesting during Malta’s cooler months.

Position: Sunny vegetable gardens, raised beds or large containers with fertile soil and good drainage.

Companion plants: Lettuce, onions, celery and aromatic herbs.

Common issue: Cabbage caterpillars and aphids may damage the leaves. Inspect plants regularly and use protective insect netting when necessary.

📦 Product Information

Variety: Cavolo Nero Toscano (Tuscan Black Kale)

Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia

Plant Type: Leafy Vegetable Seedling

Quantity: 12 Seedlings per Tray

First Harvest: Approximately 50–70 days after transplanting, depending on growing conditions

Harvest Season: Autumn to Spring

Special Characteristics: Long, dark green, textured leaves, upright growth and excellent regrowth for repeated harvesting.

Important Information

Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.

The price is per one tray of 12 seedlings.