Black Tuscan Kale Seeds

We promise to provide you with high-quality, fresh and viable flower seeds.

Bullet Points:

• Stunning Dark "Dinosaur" Texture: The deep, bluish-black leaves with heavy, bubbly, rippled surfaces are a showstopper in the garden and a culinary treasure in the kitchen.
  
• The BEST Kale for Salads: This is the legendary variety used in gourmet restaurants! When "massaged" with olive oil, salt, and citrus, the thick leaves soften into a silky, melt-in-your-mouth salad that is incredibly delicious.
• Deep, Nutty Sweetness: It has a complex, earthy flavor that naturally gets sweeter and more tender after exposure to a light autumn frost.
  
• Perfect for Crispy Kale Chips: The sturdy, dense structure of these leaves makes them the ultimate candidate for baking into irresistible, salty, crunchy healthy snacks.
  
• Ultimate Cold-Hardy Winter Green: This plant laughs at freezing temperatures. You can harvest fresh greens from your garden even after heavy snowfalls!
  
• Cut-and-Come-Again Reliable: Simply cut the outer lower leaves and leave the central core intact. It will continuously regrow new leaves for months of bounty.

Product Details:

• Genus: Brassica
• Species: Brassica oleracea (Acephala Group - Lacinato / Black Tuscan / Dinosaur Kale)
  
• Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 4 – 11 (Extremely cold-hardy; survives down to 10°F and heavy frost).
• Days to Maturity: 55 - 65 days (For mature leaves).
  
• Days to Germination: 5 to 10 days (Optimal soil temp: 60°F - 75°F).
  
• Seeding Depth: ¼ to ½ inch (0.6 - 1.2 cm).
  
• Row Spacing: 24 - 36 inches (60 - 90 cm).
• Plant Height: 24 – 36 inches (60 - 90 cm) tall upright stalks.
  
• Growth Habit: Tall, upright, woody stalk. Features elongated, highly textured, bumpy, dark blue-green/bluish-black leaves.
  
• Soil Preference: Loose, fertile, well-draining loam rich in organic matter. pH 6.0 – 7.5.
  
• Temperature Preference: Cool weather. Thrives best at 50°F - 65°F (10°C - 18°C). Tolerates heavy frost, snow, and very low temperatures.
  
• Light Preference: Full Sun (minimum 6 hours) to Partial Shade.

How to Plant & Grow:

• Site Preparation: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. Work 3-4 inches of aged compost into the top 6 inches of fertile, well-draining soil. Kale appreciates rich soil for optimum flavor.
  
• Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring, or for the best results, plant in late summer for a spectacular fall/winter harvest. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch (0.6-1.2 cm) deep and cover lightly. Keep soil consistently moist until germination (5-10 days).

Spacing:

• For Mature, Tall Plants: Space seedlings 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm) apart in rows spaced 24 to 36 inches (60-90 cm) apart. They need room to reach their full height.
  
• For Continuous Baby Leaf Harvest: You can sow more densely at 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart and harvest early.
• Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Plant 1 plant per 1-square-foot area for mature growth.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist. Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Consistent moisture keeps the thick leaves succulent and prevents them from becoming too tough.
  
• Harvesting: When the lower leaves reach 10-12 inches long, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer stems about 1 inch above the soil line. Always leave the central growing core untouched; it will regrow new leaves.
  
• Gardener's Tip: The fall harvest is legendary! For the sweetest, most tender flavor, plant this in late summer. The cool temperatures of fall, combined with a light frost, trigger the plant to convert starches into natural sugars.

Planting Calendar:

• Early Spring Crop:
  Direct Sow: March to April. 
  Harvest: May to June.
  
• Fall/Winter Crop (Highly Recommended):
  Direct Sow: July to August.
  Harvest: October through Early Winter (Survives snow and provides greens until spring).
  
• Mild Winter Zones (USDA 9-11):
  Can be sown from September to November.