Start to harvest in: 45 days

Description:
An impressive 18th-century Italian heirloom producing 15-inch deep blue-green leaves with crinkled texture, giving rise to the name “dinosaur kale". Extraordinarily nutritious—high in vitamins A, C, and K—with a nutty flavor.

SOWING:
For spring: start indoors 8 weeks before last expected frost, then 4 weeks later transplant outside.
For fall: sow directly in garden in early August.
Plant in rows 15 to 20 inches apart, 12 inches between plants.
Protect spring plantings with row covers to discourage cabbage loopers.

THINNING:
Thin to 24 to 36 inches apart as plants mature. Enjoy young leaves from the thinnings.

GERMINATION:
Germinates in 6 to 10 days depending on soil and weather conditions.
Keep evenly moist but not continually wet.

REMARKS:
Taste becomes sweeter after a hard frost.
Leave a few plants to harvest through winter.
Cutting the stem near the base may produce new sprouts in spring.