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How to Grow Tuscany Superb Kale

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Tuscany Superb Kale

Brassica oleracea var. acephala

vegetable

Tuscany Superb is a premium dinosaur or lacinato kale variety prized for its deeply textured, blue-green leaves and exceptional flavor. This heirloom cultivar produces upright plants with long, crinkled leaves that are tender, sweet, and nutty when cooked or eaten raw. It's more cold-hardy than many greens and becomes sweeter after frost.

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

  1. Plant Tuscany Superb Kale

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Tuscany Superb Kale

    Around Jun 11

    ≈ 55 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates partial shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 times weekly, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in cool seasons.
📏
Spacing: 18-24 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 55-75 days
🌱
Planting depth: 0.5 inches for seeds; transplants at same depth they were grown

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure nitrogen-rich fertilizer potassium sulfate

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; grows year-round in mild climates

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves) followed by first true leaves

Keep soil consistently moist; provide bright light if growing indoors. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple deeply-lobed leaves; upright habit becomes evident with elongated central stem

Water regularly; apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any damaged leaves. Mulch around base.

3

Leaf Development

3-4 weeks

Larger, fully-textured blue-green leaves reach mature size with pronounced crimping and darker color

Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant is 12+ inches tall. Continue feeding with nitrogen fertilizer.

4

Mature Harvest

4-6+ weeks (continuous harvest through season)

Plant stands 24-36 inches tall with abundant harvestable leaves; becomes sweeter after light frost

Harvest regularly to encourage production. In cold climates, plants can overwinter for spring harvests.

5

End of Season

Variable

Leaves may become tougher and more bitter as plant bolts or temperatures fluctuate; production declines

Pull plants when productivity drops. In cold zones, mulch heavily to extend season into winter.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beets Onions Garlic Chamomile Dill Celery Potatoes Thyme Nasturtiums Borage

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Tomatoes Strawberries Pole beans Cabbage Broccoli Cauliflower Other brassicas (in succession plantings)

Common Pests

  • Use row covers over young plants; handpick caterpillars; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps

  • Use floating row covers; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; dust with food-grade diatomaceous earth; plant peppermint nearby as repellent

  • Spray with strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs; plant companion herbs like dill and cilantro

  • Use sticky yellow traps; apply reflective mulches; spray with neem oil; encourage natural predators

  • and

    Remove debris and hiding spots; hand-pick at night; use copper tape barriers; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth; encourage ground beetles

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; spray with baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water); apply sulfur fungicide

Uses

🍳

Versatile Cooking Green

Culinary

Tuscany Superb kale is excellent sautéed, steamed, or roasted as a side dish, added to soups, or blended into smoothies. Its tender texture and nutty-sweet flavor make it superior to many other kale varieties for both raw and cooked applications. [source]

🍳

Nutritional Superfood

Culinary

Rich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals like calcium, iron, and manganese. Contains beneficial glucosinolates and polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

💊

Anti-inflammatory & Detox Support

Medicinal

Traditional herbalism values kale for supporting liver function and reducing inflammation. The high antioxidant content and sulfur compounds support natural detoxification processes. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Support

Wildlife

If allowed to flower, Tuscany Superb produces yellow flowers attractive to bees and other pollinators. Companion plantings also attract beneficial insects that control garden pests. [source]

🏠

Garden Ornament

Household

The striking blue-green, heavily textured leaves make Tuscany Superb visually attractive in edible gardens and landscape borders, functioning as both food and decorative element. [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 reaches 12+ inches tall; snap or cut leaves at the base. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production and prevent flowering. Leave inner leaves for continued growth. Flavor improves after light frost or cold weather. Morning harvest yields crispest leaves. Plants can produce for 2-3 months or longer if managed properly.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Tuscany Superb is also called 'dinosaur kale' or 'lacinato kale' because its deeply wrinkled leaves resemble dinosaur skin; it's an Italian heirloom with a centuries-long culinary tradition.
  • 🌱 Kale becomes noticeably sweeter after exposure to frost or freezing temperatures—a process called 'conditioning'—because cold converts starches to sugars; many gardeners harvest winter kale for superior flavor.
  • 🌱 Unlike heading cabbages, kale continues to produce new leaves from the central stem throughout the season, making it one of the most productive cool-season crops per square foot of garden space.

Gardening Terms

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

Bolt Cultivar Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Partial Shade True Leaves
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