How to Grow Toscano Kale

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Toscano Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

vegetable

Toscano kale, also known as Lacinato or dinosaur kale, is a dark blue-green leafy cruciferous vegetable with deeply textured, wrinkled leaves that resemble bumpy dinosaur skin. This heirloom Italian variety is sweeter and more tender than curly kale, making it excellent for raw salads and cooking. It is a cold-hardy cool-season crop that actually improves in flavor after frost.

When should you plant Toscano Kale in your zone?

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Example Toscano Kale timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Toscano Kale
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Toscano Kale
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Toscano Kale dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily (tolerates partial shade in hot climates)

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide 1-1.5 inches per week; more frequent watering in hot weather; mulch to retain moisture

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant; 75-100 days from seed

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch for seeds; transplants at same depth as original pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Nitrogen-rich fertilizer (at planting and mid-season) Kelp meal for trace minerals

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; best as a cool-season crop in spring or fall

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

True leaves emerge; small rosette forms with 2-4 leaves visible

Keep soil moist; provide bright light; maintain 60-70°F; thin seedlings to prevent crowding if direct sown

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops multiple wrinkled leaves; stem elongates gradually; rosette expands

Maintain consistent moisture; side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer every 3-4 weeks; protect from pests; pinch out flower buds if they appear early

Leaf Production Peak

3-4 weeks

Plant reaches 2-3 feet tall with abundant thick, dark blue-green textured leaves; compact central rosette

Begin harvesting outer leaves; continue feeding with balanced fertilizer; monitor for pests; increase watering in dry periods

Mature Production

4-8 weeks

Plant at full size with harvestable outer leaves; cold tolerance increases significantly

Continue harvesting outer leaves regularly to promote new growth; frost actually sweetens leaves by converting starches to sugars; reduce watering slightly

Flowering (End of Season)

2-3 weeks

Yellow flower buds form at stem tip; plant begins to bolt

Harvest remaining leaves; flowering buds are also edible; allow one plant to flower for seed saving if desired; pull plant when productivity declines

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Beets Cabbage Celery Chamomile Chives Garlic Onions Potatoes Thyme

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Kohlrabi Strawberries Tomatoes Other brassicas (within 1-2 feet)

Common Pests

Install floating row covers before pest flight; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; hand-pick caterpillars; encourage natural predators
Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; dust with food-grade diatomaceous earth; keep weeds controlled
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps
Hand-pick bugs and clusters of eggs; use reflective mulch; plant trap crops nearby; spray with neem oil if infestation is heavy
Practice crop rotation (3-4 year gap from brassicas); raise soil pH above 7.0; use resistant varieties; sterilize tools between plants

Uses

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Raw Salads & Tender Greens

Culinary

Toscano kale's tender leaves and sweet, mild flavor make it ideal for raw salads and grain bowls, unlike the tougher curly varieties. Young leaves can be eaten fresh without cooking. [source]

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Sautéed & Cooked Dishes

Culinary

Its Italian heritage makes it perfect for traditional preparations like pasta, soups, and braised dishes. The textured leaves hold sauces exceptionally well. [source]

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High-Nutrient Superfood

Medicinal

Toscano kale is extremely rich in vitamins K, A, and C, plus minerals like iron, calcium, and manganese, supporting bone health and immune function. It contains glucosinolates, compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. [source]

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Chips & Crispy Snacks

Culinary

Kale leaves can be massaged with oil, seasoned, and baked until crispy for healthy snack chips. The texture holds up better than curly varieties when crisped. [source]

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Juices & Smoothies

Household

The sweeter flavor compared to other kale types makes Toscano excellent for green juices and smoothies without requiring as much sweetener. [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 plant is 12-18 inches tall, typically 60-80 days after transplanting. Pinch or cut outer leaves at the base, leaving inner leaves to continue growing. Regular harvesting encourages more leaf production. Leaves are best when 8-12 inches long. Harvest in cool morning hours for crispest texture. The entire plant can be harvested at once, or continued leaf harvesting can extend production for 2-3 months. Flavor improves after light frost as starches convert to sugars. Plants can survive winter in mild zones and produce new leaves in early spring.

Fun Facts

🌱 Toscano kale is also called 'Lacinato' or 'Dinosaur kale' because its deeply wrinkled, bumpy leaves resemble dinosaur skin; the Italian name 'Toscano' reflects its origin in the Tuscany region of Italy.
🌱 Cold temperatures actually improve the flavor of Toscano kale by converting starches into sugars through a process called cold-hardening; many gardeners deliberately wait until after the first frost to harvest for maximum sweetness.
🌱 Unlike many kale varieties that require annual replanting, Toscano kale can overwinter in zones 6-9 and regrow in spring, providing early-season harvests; some heirloom plants have been grown continuously for decades in the same garden.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Direct Sow Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Partial Shade Transplant True Leaves

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