Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Rainbow Lacinato' Kale
 
Sub-Category:
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Brassica oleracea. Open-pollinated. Kale purple and blue-green leaves have curly edges with burgundy, lavender and rose stems. Cold-hardiness and reluctance to bolt. Originally developed by farmer and plant breeder Frank Morton. About 21 days to baby and 61 to maturity.
Days To Maturity: 21-61
Seed Sources: Fruition Seeds - updated in 2019
Fedco Seeds - updated in 2019

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (3.6 Stars)Overall
Taste: (2.2 Stars)Taste
Yield: (3.0 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.2 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
Login to share your Review of Rainbow Lacinato.

Number of Reviews: 8

Sort Reviews By:
  [Help]
KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 11/27/2019 by Saratoga MG - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability 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

Only about half germinated. There was a lot of leaf miner damage, and then much was eaten by critters. The plants exhibited no signs of being a \\\'rainbow\\\' variety.
 

Reviewed on 11/22/2019 by Tompkins MGV - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Tompkins, 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: 6 to 8 hours per day

Large plants with slightly curled dark blue leaves. No hint of rainbow. Taste was harsh and bitter in the summer-grown plants.
 

Reviewed on 11/10/2019 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability 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

Did quite well, though lots of holes and some leaves yellowed. A tender and tasty variety, though the plants weren\'t huge and only prduced a fair amount of leaves. We pulled the crop in the beginning of November, though it probably would have continued for a few weeks more.
 

Reviewed on 10/08/2019 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability 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

A nice variety to include in your kale garden
 

Reviewed on 09/25/2019 by CCEYates - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Yates, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

We had very good germination. The plants looked great, with just a little flea beetle damage. We unfortunately were unable to sample it before the woodchucks made a dinner of it.
 

Reviewed on 09/15/2019 by CCE Putnam - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste
Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Putnam, 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

5/8: planted seeds. Germinated by 5/15. 6/5: 12 plants viable, few holes in leaves. 7/6: plants are viable, not very tall, many holes in leaves. 7/17: all plants being eaten, but surviving. 8/24: one snail found on plant. 9/14: Doing OK. This is not our final evaluation. Final entry 11/24: Rainbow colors just started showing mid-October.
 

Reviewed on 07/28/2019 by Albany County MGs - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability 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

So pretty and prolific, would highly recommend. Every plant is different, so much fun to grow.\r\nFlea beetles love them too so best to start indoors and transplant.
 

Reviewed on 07/26/2019 by CCE Rockland - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability 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

Slightly curled large blue green leaves. Very tasty. Not bolting despite a period of extreme heat in July.
 




Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program, © 2004-2024, All Rights Reserved
Cornell Garden Based Learning, Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Horticulture Section