How to Grow Black Tuscany Kale
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Black Tuscany Kale
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
vegetableBlack Tuscany kale, also known as Lacinato or Dinosaur kale, is a cold-hardy leafy green with deeply textured, dark blue-green leaves that are sweeter and more tender than curly varieties. It's a nutrient-dense brassica that becomes even sweeter after frost and is beloved by home gardeners for its productivity and elegant appearance.
When should you plant Black Tuscany Kale in your zone?
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Example Black Tuscany Kale timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Black Tuscany Kale
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Black Tuscany Kale
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Tuscany Kale dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; best as a cool-season crop in spring or fall
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Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves; delicate and establishing root systems
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin or transplant when 2-3 true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksRapid leaf production; plants develop deeply textured foliage and a strong central stem
Maintain even watering and consistent nutrients. Apply mulch to suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature. Begin side-dressing with compost or balanced fertilizer at 3-4 weeks after transplant.
Leaf Development & Maturation
3-4 weeksOuter leaves enlarge and deepen in color to dark blue-green; plants become bushy and productive
Begin harvesting outer leaves to encourage more production. Continue watering deeply and monitor for pests. Frost improves flavor by converting starches to sugars.
Peak Production & Harvest
4-8+ weeksPlants are fully established with abundant harvestable leaves; color is rich and texture is tender
Harvest regularly to promote branching and prevent bolting. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves. Continue fertilizing monthly for sustained productivity.
Extended Harvest & Frost Tolerance
Variable; often 6+ weeks in fallPlants remain productive through cold weather; sweetness increases after hard frost
Continue harvesting as long as leaves are tender. Plants can survive temperatures well below freezing. In spring, may bolt; harvest all leaves before flowering.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers before butterflies appear; hand-pick caterpillars; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray; encourage native parasitic wasps
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Deploy row covers on seedlings; diatomaceous earth; neem oil spray; trap crops of alternate brassicas; ensure plants are vigorous
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; introduce ladybugs and lacewings; plant alyssum nearby as banker plant
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Yellow sticky traps; strong water spray; neem oil or insecticidal soap; reflective mulches; increase air circulation
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and
Hand-pick in evening; beer traps; copper tape barriers; crushed eggshell collars; encourage ground beetles and toads
Uses
Raw Salads & Cooking
CulinaryBlack Tuscany's tender texture and mild flavor make it excellent raw in salads or lightly cooked (sautéed, steamed, or braised). Unlike curly kale, it requires minimal massage when eaten raw and becomes silky when cooked. [source]
Smoky & Crispy Chips
CulinaryToss with olive oil and salt, then roast until crispy for healthy kale chips. The flat leaves crisp evenly and develop a more delicate texture than curly varieties. [source]
High Nutritional Content
MedicinalBlack Tuscany is extremely rich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. It also contains glucosinolates with potential anti-cancer properties. [source]
Ornamental Garden Feature
HouseholdThe distinctive deeply textured, dark blue-green leaves make Black Tuscany a striking ornamental accent in vegetable and flower gardens, adding visual interest and texture to landscape design. [source]
Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support
WildlifeWhen allowed to bolt and flower, Black Tuscany produces small yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. The plants also support native caterpillars of certain butterfly species. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plants are 12+ inches tall, typically 6-8 weeks after transplant. Pinch or cut leaves at the base, leaving the central stem and younger leaves to continue growing. Harvest regularly (every 1-2 weeks) to maximize production and tenderness. Leaves are sweetest after a hard frost. In spring, harvest all leaves before flowering. Morning harvest after frost is ideal for best flavor and texture.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Tuscany kale gets its nickname 'Dinosaur kale' from the bumpy, textured leaves that resemble dinosaur skin. It's been grown in Tuscany, Italy for at least 2,000 years.
- 🌱 Frost improves kale's flavor by triggering the conversion of starches to sugars as a natural cold-protection mechanism—making winter kale sweeter and more tender than summer-harvested kale.
- 🌱 Black Tuscany is among the most nutritious vegetables available, with a single cup containing over 100% of daily vitamin K requirements and significant amounts of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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