Kale Nero di Toscano

Soil Preparation 

Soil Type:

• Fertile, well-drained soil with pH 6.0–7.0.
• Amend acidic soil with lime and enrich with compost or aged manure. 

Raised Beds:

• Ideal for improving drainage and root health, especially in wet climates. 

Sowing Seeds 

 Depth & Spacing:

• Sow seeds 5 mm deep, 30 cm apart.
• Thin seedlings to 18–24 cm once established. 

 Germination:

• Occurs in 5–12 days at 8–30°C soil temperature.
• Use grow lights for indoor starts. 

Growing Conditions & Care 

Sunlight:

• Full sun (6+ hours daily) is ideal, but kale tolerates partial shade, especially in hotter zones. 

Watering:

• Keep soil consistently moist.
• Water seedlings twice daily until germination, then reduce to once daily.
• Mulch to retain moisture. 

Fertilising:

• Apply nitrogen rich fertiliser (e.g., fish emulsion) every 4 weeks.
• Compost at planting boosts growth. 

Pest & Disease Management 

 Common Pests:

• Cabbage moths, aphids, slugs.
• Use fine mesh netting to deter butterflies. 

 Disease Prevention:

• Rotate crops annually to avoid soilborne diseases like clubroot. 

Harvesting Kale 

Timing:

• Harvest outer leaves when hand sized.
• Continuous picking encourages new growth. 

 Post Harvest:

• Store leaves in a crisper for up to 3 days.
• Frost exposed leaves are sweeter. 

Companion Planting Guide 

 Best Companions:

• Alliums (Onions, Garlic, Chives): Mask kale’s scent, repelling aphids and cabbage moths. 
• Herbs (Dill, Coriander, Lemongrass): Attract beneficial insects (e.g., hoverflies, parasitic wasps) and repel pests. 
• Flowers (Marigolds, Nasturtiums):  Marigolds: Repel nematodes and attract pollinators.  Nasturtiums: Act as a trap crop for aphids. 
• Legumes (Bush Beans, Peas): Fix nitrogen in soil, benefiting heavy feeding kale. 
• Leafy Greens (Lettuce, Spinach): Provide ground cover, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. 

Worst Companions:

• Brassicas (Broccoli, Cauliflower): Share pests and diseases (e.g., cabbage worms). 
• Tomatoes & Potatoes: Compete for nutrients; tomatoes may spread blight. 
• Strawberries: Attract slugs harmful to kale. 

 Troubleshooting Common Issues 

 Bolting:

• Prevent by planting in cooler months and providing consistent water. 

 Yellowing Leaves:

• Indicates nitrogen deficiency—apply compost tea or fish emulsion. 

 Pest Infestations:

• Introduce ladybugs or spray neem oil for organic control. 

Container Growing 

 Pot Size:

• Minimum 30 cm diameter with drainage holes. 

 Companions:

• Pair with garlic, chives, or coriander in pots.