Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs
Kale
Brassica oleracea 'Nero di Toscana'
cultivar413 from Fallbrook, California
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Nero di Toscana kale grows narrow, heavily textured leaves that range from dark green to nearly black. A plant can reach about 1½–3 feet tall and wide, so give it room among other vegetables even when harvesting leaves regularly. Grow it for edible foliage in a sunny bed with moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Sow or transplant in spring or fall, then pick leaves progressively as they develop. In Southwest Washington, keep summer plantings watered until fall rains return. Like other kale, it is generally biennial; plants left to flower may provide early forage for bees.
Ask about this plantAt a glance
- Mature height
- About 1½–3 feet
- Mature spread
- About 1½–3 feet
- Light
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold hardy
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Grow this kale in a vegetable bed for its edible, dark, textured leaves. Plants left to flower may also provide early forage for bees.
Where to plant
Choose a spot in full sun and space plants about 12–18 inches apart. Leave room to reach the leaves for regular harvest.
Through the seasons
Spring and fall are planting times for kale. Pick leaves as they develop; plants are generally biennial and may flower if left growing.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
For summer plantings, water consistently until fall rains begin. Watch cole crops for aphids, slugs, and cabbage worms.
Soil, drainage & water
Plant in moist, well-drained soil amended with organic matter. Water during dry periods, especially while summer plantings establish.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Sow or transplant in spring or fall. Harvest leaves progressively, and check young plants for aphids and signs of cabbage maggot.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Aphids
Look for aphids on leaf undersides or in buds, along with yellowing leaves or sticky honeydew.
Help your plant thrive
Wash off small infestations, avoid excessive nitrogen, and clear garden debris in fall.
Black rot
Yellow V-shaped patches may spread inward from leaf edges, with dark veins or leaf drop.
Help your plant thrive
Use disease-free seed, rotate related crops, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected plants and debris.
Cabbage maggot
Young plants may yellow, wilt, or stop growing; check roots and lower stems for tunnels.
Help your plant thrive
Rotate away from infested ground and place floating row covers before adult flies emerge.
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CC BY-SA 3.0 · Web-optimized
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Explore this plantGood gardens start with a conversation
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for your place.
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