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'Lacinato' Kale

Sub-Category:	None

Sub-Category 2:
Description:	Heirloom. 2- to 3-foot plants produce mild-flavored, dark blue-green, puckered strap-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long. Very cold hardy and also holds up well in heat. About 60-80 days to maturity. Also known as 'Lacinato Blue', 'Tuscan', 'Black Kale', 'Black Cabbage', 'Nero di Toscana', 'Cavolo Nero', 'Black Palm Tree', 'Tuscan Black Cabbage' and 'Dinosaur Kale.'
Days To Maturity:	60-80
Seed Sources:	Harris Seeds - updated in 2021 Burpee Seeds - updated in 2021 Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2021 High Mowing Seed - updated in 2021 Johnny's Selected Seeds - updated in 2021 Underwood Gardens - updated in 2021

Rating Summary

Overall: (4.0 Stars) Taste: (3.9 Stars) Yield: (4.2 Stars) Ease/Reliability: (4.1 Stars)

Reviews

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Number of Reviews: 21

Posted Pictures by Reviewers:

KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 11/05/2021 by Saratoga MG - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Saratoga, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Germination was good. Very susceptible to caterpillar damage. Plants were very upright in growth. Did not perform well this season. Taste was bitter.

Reviewed on 10/28/2021 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Nassau, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Early in the season. the kale was hit with the usual insect problems, but overall, it was a good kale variety. It was tender and not bitter. It seems to be doing better as the weather becomes cooler.

Reviewed on 10/21/2021 by CCE Orange County - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Harvested from it all season. Delicious! Did have issues with caterpillars.

Reviewed on 10/12/2021 by Albany County MGs - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Albany, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Germinated indoors and set out, took a while to get going but now it\'s huge, beautiful. Great yield, easy to grow, waiting for a frost for flavor to be at its best.

Reviewed on 10/10/2021 by nmeohen1 - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Cortland, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
This kale seemed to take forever to "grow" but when it did, it did not disappoint.

Reviewed on 10/09/2021 by MGWayne - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Wayne, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Kale failed to germinate even after 3 attempts.

Reviewed on 10/04/2021 by Ulster County MGV - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Ulster, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Not Sure Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
This variety did not grow well for us. Very susceptible to pest damage. Bitter tasting and poor yield.

Reviewed on 09/25/2021 by CCE Rockland - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Rockland, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Grew well from direct seeding outdoors in late May. Tall upright plants that continue to produce tasty leaves in late September.

Reviewed on 09/23/2021 by VVTG Warren - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Warren, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Kale failed to emerge

Reviewed on 08/30/2021 by Tompkins MGs - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Tompkins, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Grew well when direct-seeded. Tough and too bitter for a salad. Sautéd in olive oil with a bit of salt. It came out delicately crunchy like kale chips and absolutely delicious!

Reviewed on 10/26/2017 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Nassau, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Planted seeds on May 16. This crop was extremely successful. Very large yield, no insects or diseases. Still harvesting in late October, though leaves are smaller now and some plants are done.

1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.

Reviewed on 10/18/2017 by Debbie L - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
My favorite kale to grow and eat. Super prolific and great taste..

1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.

Reviewed on 10/12/2017 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Broome, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Planted seed 4/25/17. Prolific producer, harvesting weekly.

Reviewed on 10/11/2017 by A. W. Davidson - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Marion, Indiana, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I always grow Tuscan Kale. It stands up to the heat pretty well and produces the whole season in my garden, as long as ground hogs and deer leave it alone. The flavor is good, even during the heat of summer, and I have several market customers who love to make kale chips with it. The plants add some interest to the garden as well and I think it would look good in an ornamental type setting as well. In the fall the cabbage white butterfly does start to turn its attention to this plant though.

Reviewed on 08/22/2017 by Wayne County CCE - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Wayne, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Success with this crop. Taste was good, probably even better after a frost.

Reviewed on 05/16/2017 by Irv - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Rensselaer, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day
Direct seed April 20. Permanent leaves just developing May 16.\r\n\r\nPast years experience has been excellent, but started with seedlings. Harvested through November.

Reviewed on 12/29/2016 by KofUtah - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Davis, Utah, United States Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Grew very well in a raised garden bed. I would cut some, go back later and cut more. Got a little bitter near the heat of summer but not inedible.

Reviewed on 01/23/2015 by Debbie L - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Orange, New York, United States Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days Soil Texture: Loam Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Good producer all season even into December. Great flavor.

Reviewed on 09/11/2012 by BernardP - A novice gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days Soil Texture: Not Sure Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
I have been eating kale all summer long from a few plants that I started this spring. It has been hot and dry, and the plants have still managed to do well. The leaves may have gotten tougher, and the flavor a bit bland in July/August compared to earlier harvests. I am hoping the cooler weather in the fall makes the leaves a bit sweeter and more tender. The only problems that I have had (and I have seen this with all my brassica) are well camoflaged catepillars. Managed to keep them in check for the most part though, and a few small holes do not ruin kale soup. Plants are >3 feet tall, and it is mid September.

Reviewed on 12/28/2011 by gardengrover - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Alachua, Florida, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Best Kale Ever! In a southern climate it\\\'s as hearty and productive as other varieties, yet it taste so much better than the Siberian or Scotch Kale varieties. Tender and sweet I like this variety raw in salads. Most kale is too bitter to eat raw.

1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.

Reviewed on 06/22/2011 by Barcen - An intermediate gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Los Angeles, California, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Beautiful and dramatic plant, like a small palm tree with dark green fronds. Some people have plants 5\' tall. Very easy to grow in our Los Angeles basin clay soil, as brassicas like their feet wet. Grows through the winter in mild climates. Has the advantage over curly kale of being easier to clean and easier to tie into bundles and store. Occasionally gets a bit of powdery mildew (or something that looks like it) but this can be corrected with sprays of copper fungicide. Stores well in the refrigerator. I think I\'m rating the taste a little low because I\'m tired of eating kale: the plants are so productive! and kale is not always easy to give away. The photo shows three kinds of kale. The laciniato is in the center and upper right.

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