Lacinato kaleBrassica oleracea var. palmifolia

Lacinato kale

Lacinato kales

1. Brassica oleracea L. var. palmifolia DC.
2. Brassica oleracea Acephala Group

1. Tuscan kale
2. Italian kale
3. Dinosaur kale
4. Cavolo nero
5. Black kale
6. Tuscan cabbage

1. Lacinato
2. Black Tuscan kale

1. Jersey kale

1. Cavolo Nero

1. Lacinato kail

1. Lacinato kale
2. Tuscan kale
3. Cavolo nero
4. Dinosaur kale

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiospermae
3. Eudicotyledoneae
4. Rosidae

Mustard family

1. Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
2. Brassica oleracea var. italica
3. Brassica oleracea var. capitata

1. Leaves

Lacinato kale, often called 'Cavolo Nero', is an ancient leafy green from Tuscany. With its nearly black, puckered leaves growing in a palm-like rosette, it serves as both a culinary delicacy (essential for Ribollita) and a striking ornamental for the garden. Unlike curly kale, it offers a milder flavor and maintains an excellent texture even after vigorous cooking.

1. Tasksoil_prep

   Label

   Bed preparation

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3
   2. 4

   Notes

   Incorporate compost and organic slow-release fertilizer.

1. Taskharvest

   Label

   Winter harvest

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 11
   2. 12
   3. 1
   4. 2

   Notes

   Only harvest as much as is currently needed.

Full sun to partial shade

Advantageous but not mandatory

Very well suited for temperate European climates; frost hardy.

Medium-heavy, loamy-humus

Prefers deep soil with good water retention.

Regularly, never let the soil dry out completely.

Tap water or rainwater suitable.

Rotted manure or compost in spring.

Organic liquid fertilizer or horn meal during the season.

Good neighbors: Peas, beans, lettuce, tomatoes. Poor neighbors: Other brassicas.

1. Peas
2. Beans
3. Early potatoes
4. Spinach

1. Carrots
2. Beetroot
3. Lettuce
4. Celery

To avoid clubroot, a crop rotation break of at least 4 years from other brassicas should be observed.

Pale green to yellowish older leaves, stunted growth.

Hollow stems, internal browning.

1. Name

   Premature Bolting

   Cause

   Stress caused by cold or drought.

1. Caterpillars
2. Aphids
3. Flea beetles

1. Soil-borne fungi
2. Leaf spot diseases

1. Use of crop protection nets from planting onwards.
2. Balanced fertilization without nitrogen excess.
3. Regular hoeing to disrupt pest cycles.

Regularly check the undersides of leaves for egg clusters.

1. Slugclubroot

   Severitycritical

   Conditions

   1. Acidic soil
   2. Waterlogging
   3. Lack of crop rotation

   Affected parts

   1. Roots
   2. Whole plant

   Prevention

   1. Liming the soil
   2. Maintain crop rotation

   Organic control

   1. No direct control possible; dispose of infected plants in household waste.

1. Symptom

   Holed leaves in young plants

   Possible causes

   1. Flea beetles
   2. Slugs

   First checks

   1. Look for small jumping beetles
   2. Search for slime trails

Nitrogen deficiency is often mistaken for water stress.

1. Germination
2. Seedling stage
3. Leaf development and palm-like growth
4. Overwintering (Vegetative phase)
5. Bolting and flowering (in the second year)
6. Seed maturation

As a biennial plant, Lacinato kale produces edible leaves in the first year and only flowers in the following year after a period of cold.

Pale yellow

Late summer until the end of winter.

After the first frost for a milder, sweeter flavor.

Continuous from the bottom up.

1. Leaves have reached a length of approx. 20-30 cm
2. Dark green, almost bluish-black coloration
3. Typical crinkled (bumpy) texture is fully developed

Place leaves in cold water or store in the refrigerator immediately after harvest to prevent wilting.

1. Method

   Refrigeration

   Duration1 week
2. Method

   Freezing

   Duration6-10 months

Short-term storage (fresh) or freezing

Fresh in the refrigerator approx. 5-7 days; frozen (after blanching) up to 10 months.

1. Blanching and freezing
2. Drying into kale chips
3. Preserving (Pesto)

1. Steamed as a side dish
2. Ingredient in stews (e.g., Ribollita)
3. Raw in thin strips for salads

The tough central ribs should be removed before cooking.

Mildly spicy, less bitter than curly kale, with a slightly nutty note.

1. Leaves
2. Young flower buds (similar to broccoli)

1. Tough, woody stalks

Non-toxic. Like all brassicas, it contains glucosinolates, which may cause bloating in sensitive individuals.

Possible and healthy; young leaves are more tender for raw consumption.

Overwinter plants, allow to flower in the second year, and harvest the pods (siliques) after they have turned brown.

Extremely high risk of cross-pollination with all other Brassica oleracea species (kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower).

Not woody in the horticultural sense, but the plant develops a stable, palm-like stalk over the course of the season.

If allowed to flower in its second year, it provides excellent forage for bees. Cabbage white caterpillars use it as a host plant.

Main harvest begins; protection nets can now be removed.

Fresh vitamins straight from the snowy garden.