🥬
Kale
Lacinato (Dinosaur)
Leafy GreensDirect SowTransplant
☀️
Sun
full sun
💧
Water
Every 5 days
🌱
Germination
10 days
🕐
Days to harvest
65 days
📏
Planting depth
0.5 inches deep
↔️
Row spacing
18 inches
When to Plant
Direct sow in early spring or fall
Growing Guide
Soil: rich, well-drained · pH 6.0–7.0
Same as curly kale. Lacinato (Tuscan/dinosaur kale) is slightly more cold-tolerant and can overwinter in zone 5 with mulch protection.
- Direct sow or transplant; space 18–24 inches apart — Lacinato grows taller than curly types
- Plant a second crop in late July for overwintering — plants survive to -10°F with straw mulch protection
- The distinctive dark blue-green strap leaves tell you it's getting optimal conditions: full sun + consistent moisture
Care
💧 Water every 5 days
🌿 Fertilize every 21 days
📐 Spacing: 12 inches apart · 18 inches between rows
Recommended sub-rows: 2
Harvest & Storage
Ready in 65 days with a harvest window of 90 days.
- Harvest outer leaves from the bottom up, leaving at least 6–8 leaves at the growing tip
- In spring, plants that overwintered will bolt — the flower buds (rapini-style) are delicious before they open fully
- Lacinato holds its texture better than curly kale when cooked
Storage
Same as curly kale. Lacinato's denser leaves hold moisture slightly longer — keeps 7–10 days refrigerated.
Companion Planting
Grows well with:
beetonioncelery
Keep away from:
tomatobean
Essential Tools
- Sharp scissors or knife (leaf harvesting)
- Row cover (extending season and preventing cabbage butterfly)
Pests & Diseases
- Cabbage white butterfly caterpillar: chewed holes in leaves — inspect undersides for pale yellow eggs; row covers prevent egg-laying entirely
- Cabbage aphid: waxy grey colonies on undersides — Lacinato's upright growth provides slightly better airflow than curly types, reducing pressure
- Club root: swollen, distorted roots causing wilting — maintain pH above 6.5; long rotation essential