Lacinato Kale (Garden Starter Plant)

Heirloom. Good looks and great taste combine in Lacinato kale, which makes a striking addition to any garden setting. Dark blue-green to black leaves often have a heavily crinkled texture, which inspires one of its many common names, dinosaur kale. The flattened leaves are perfect for making kale chips. This kale dates to 18th-century Italy, which is why it’s also called Tuscan kale. Thomas Jefferson grew it in his garden at Monticello.

Kale is a super food, and Lacinato leaves extend excellent health benefits, lowering cholesterol, fighting cancer, and decreasing inflammation. Prepare leaves steamed, sautéed, or roasted. Kale is a classic fall flavor and combines nicely with garlic, peppers, chickpeas, sausage, squash, and apples.

A cold-hardy vegetable, kale leaves sweeten after frost. In northern regions, leave a few plants in the garden to harvest after the snow flies.

• Light:  Full sun to part shade
• Leaf size:  6- to 18-inch long
• Matures:  45+ days
• Plant spacing:  18 to 24 inches apart
• Plant size:  2 to 3 feet wide and tall

* Photos and description courtesy of Bonnie Plants.