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Kale

Lacinato, Dazzling Blue

Brassicaceae

Spacing1 per sq ft
Days to Harvest60d
Expected YieldContinuous harvest, June-February
Botanical illustration of Kale

AI botanical illustration · watercolor style

AI-generated botanical watercolor illustration of Kale. Click to regenerate if you don't like it.

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Variety History

Lacinato (aka dinosaur kale, cavolo nero) is a Tuscan heirloom with long narrow dark leaves. Dazzling Blue is a Lacinato cross with purple midribs.

Regional Context

Kale sweetens after frost and produces from June through February on Bainbridge -- you do not need separate spring and fall plantings. One of the most reliable PNW crops.

Growing Technique

Direct sow 1/2 inch deep, 1 per sq ft for full-size plants. Heavy feeder: top-dress with compost in May and again in August. Strip outer leaves from the bottom up, leaving the growing crown intact.

Watch For

  • Cabbage white butterfly (the white butterflies everywhere May-August) lays eggs on leaf undersides. Green caterpillars eat holes. Floating row cover from transplant through July, or Bt spray as organic option.