Dinosaur Kale Seeds – Nero di Toscana Precoce | Franchi Seeds Italy – WINTER

Nero di Toscana Precoce, also known as Dinosaur Kale, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale or Cavolo Nero, is a traditional Italian leafy vegetable valued for its distinctive dark-green foliage and continuous harvesting potential.

This early variety develops a tall, open plant with large, elongated and strongly textured dark-green leaves. Unlike cabbage, it does not form a compact head. Leaves can be harvested individually while the plant continues producing new foliage from the centre.

Key Features

• Traditional Italian Tuscan kale
• Long, textured dark-green leaves
• Early-growing variety
• Upright, open growth habit
• Suitable for repeated harvesting
• Excellent winter leafy vegetable
• Suitable for raised beds, pots and grow bags
• Good choice for rooftop and terrace gardening

Culinary Uses

Dinosaur Kale is suitable for:

• Soups
• Pasta dishes
• Stir-fries
• Sautéed vegetables
• Steamed dishes
• Young-leaf salads
• Vegetable curries
• Smoothies
• Kale chips

It is also traditionally used in Tuscan dishes such as Ribollita.

Young leaves are generally more tender, while mature leaves are particularly suitable for cooking.

Germination & Temperature

Germination Time: 3–10 days
Suitable Temperature: 15°C–28°C

Keep the growing medium consistently moist during germination without allowing it to become waterlogged.

Recommended Grow Bags

G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch
Suitable for one compact kale plant.

G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch
Recommended for one well-developed plant with additional root space.

G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch
Suitable for several plants when proper spacing is maintained.

Avoid overcrowding to maintain good airflow and healthy leaf development.

Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

Use:

50% Vermicompost + 50% Bhalu Mitti (Sandy Soil)

This mix helps provide:

• Organic nutrition
• Loose soil structure
• Good drainage
• Moisture retention
• Healthy root development

Keep the soil evenly moist but not permanently waterlogged.

Growing Instructions from Seeds

1. Prepare the Growing Medium
Mix 50% Vermicompost + 50% Bhalu Mitti. Break up large lumps and prepare a loose, fine growing surface.

2. Sow the Seeds
Sow approximately 0.5–1 cm deep and cover lightly with fine soil.

3. Water Gently
Water with a fine mist or gentle shower. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination.

4. Germination
Seeds generally germinate within 3–10 days at approximately 15°C–28°C.

5. Light Requirements
Provide full sun to light partial shade. Around 5–6+ hours of sunlight per day is beneficial.

6. Transplanting
Transplant once seedlings are strong and have approximately 4–6 true leaves.

Suitable final locations include raised beds, pots and G-11, G-12 or G-24 grow bags.

7. Plant Spacing
Maintain approximately 30–45 cm between mature plants.

Closer spacing may be used for baby-leaf production.

8. Watering
Maintain regular, even moisture. Avoid allowing the soil to stay completely dry for long periods.

9. Feeding
The recommended mix already contains 50% Vermicompost. Additional vermicompost may be applied lightly around established plants if required.

10. Harvesting
Harvest the outer and lower leaves first while leaving the central growing point intact.

Regular picking allows the plant to continue producing fresh leaves.

Source: Franchi Sementi S.p.A., Italy

Variety: Nero di Toscana Precoce
Franchi Product Code: DBO 35/7

Franchi identifies this variety as an early, tall and open-growing Tuscan kale with elongated dark-green leaves and continued production of fresh foliage.

Related Products

• G-11 Grow Bag – 11 × 10 inch
• G-12 Grow Bag – 12 × 12 inch
• G-24 Grow Bag – 24 × 12 inch
• GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost
• GREEN GARDENS Grow Bags