• Packet of Lacinato Kale Seed Sachet de graines de chou frisé Lacinato
  • Fresh Lacinato kale leaves, dark and textured Feuilles de chou frisé Lacinato fraîches, foncées et texturées
  • Boy picking Lacinato kale in the sunlight Garçon cueillant du chou frisé Lacinato au soleil
  • Dinosaur kale, also known as Lacinato, in bunches Chou frisé dinosaure, également connu sous le nom de Lacinato, en bottes
  • Close-up of Lacinato kale's blue-green leaves Gros plan des feuilles bleu-vert du chou frisé Lacinato
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JNB Seed

Lacinato Kale Seeds

Lacinato Kale Seeds

$3.99 CAD
$3.99 CAD
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Survival Garden Seeds presents the Lacinato Kale, affectionately termed Tuscan Kale or Dinosaur Kale, a variety that wins over children's hearts with its nutritional prowess. This kale not only garners enthusiasm from young gardeners eager to see their plants grow but also promises a bounty of health benefits upon harvest. It's a delightful addition to any home garden, encouraging both cultivation and consumption within the family.

Distinguished by its bluish-green, uniquely textured leaves, Dinosaur Kale - Lacinato stands out for its versatility in the kitchen. Its tender foliage is perfect for creating crunchy kale chips, enriching the flavors of soups, or tossing into salads, making it a multifaceted ingredient for various culinary explorations. Its resilience to cold weather enhances its appeal, as the cooler temperatures tenderize and sweeten the leaves, ensuring a tasty and nutritious green even during the winter months.

Originating from Italy, this heirloom variety, dubbed 'Dinosaur Kale' for its leafy appearance reminiscent of prehistoric flora, is celebrated for its gently wrinkled leaves spanning around 8 cm in width, offering a subtle flavor ideal for steaming or boiling. Harvesting can begin as early as 30 days for young leaves, adding a fresh, crisp element to salads, while the more mature leaves reach harvest readiness in about 60 days, broadening its culinary uses.

Kale, a non-heading cabbage variant, boasts a storied lineage tracing back to ancient Greece and Rome, with its early versions likely originating from Asia Minor or the Mediterranean. Its introduction to America is noted in a 1669 publication, attributing its spread to European settlers. Although kale maintains a modest presence in American agriculture, it thrives in European gardens, particularly the Dinosaur kale, a special type of Tuscan kale from 18th century Italy, highlighting its enduring legacy and culinary value.

    How To Grow

    For optimal growth, Lacinato kale, which sweetens after a frost, is ideally sown as an autumn crop. In regions with cooler summers, you can sow these seeds in early spring. Plant them about 1.3 cm deep, spacing clusters approximately 40-45 cm apart, with rows set 60-90 cm apart. Once seedlings emerge, thin them to keep only the most robust plant in each cluster. Kale thrives in nutrient-rich, well-draining, moist soil, as rapid growth enhances its flavor. For an autumn harvest, sow seeds around three months prior to the anticipated first frost. Companion planting with cabbage or potatoes can offer mutual benefits.

    To promote healthy growth, weed control and mulching are vital to maintain soil moisture. Watering should be consistent, but it's advisable to cease watering after the initial frost hits.

    Harvesting

    When harvesting, young leaves can be picked early for salads, and larger leaves can be cut as needed with scissors or a knife to prevent stem damage. If you wish to harvest the entire plant, cut it about 2.5 cm above the soil. Immersing the stems in water immediately after cutting helps preserve the leaves in the refrigerator for about a month. Kale can also be frozen for long-term storage. Post-frost harvesting is feasible since kale withstands freezing temperatures well.

    Seed Saving

    For seed saving, it's important to isolate kale from other cabbage family members like broccoli and cauliflower to maintain genetic purity. Kale requires overwintering to produce seeds. With its cold hardiness, a protective mulch layer is usually adequate in colder climates. In spring, allow flowering and seed pod formation. You can continue harvesting some leaves without affecting seed development. Pods will mature from the bottom up; harvest them once they turn light brown. Alternatively, when most pods are brown, pull up the plant, hang it upside down in a dry area, and thresh the seeds from the pods. Store these seeds in a cool, dry place for up to four years.

    Extra Facts

    Blooming Season: Plant Lacinato Kale seeds 1 centimeter deep, spaced 40-45 centimeters apart in rows 60-90 centimeters apart

    Planting Season: Early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.

    Latin Name/USDA Zones: Brassica oleracea var. acephala 'Lacinato'; USDA Zones: 3-11

    Sunlight Required/ Height: Full sunlight/ 60-90 centimeters

    Shelf Life After Test Date: Typically 2-3 years when stored properly.

    Seed Type: Open Pollinated Heirloom Non-GMO

    Soil Type: Lacinato Kale thrives in loam soil but can also grow well in clay or sandy soil.

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