TUSCAN KALE

Sive · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:10 am Post subject: TUSCAN KALE

Has anyone grown this variety of Kale ? I saw it on a BBC programme last night, and apparently it is very easy to grow and very rich in nutrients. It grows quite tall and actually would look good in a flower bed!
Now to find some seeds or plants........

risin · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:21 am Post subject:

Hi Sive

You can get this variety via Seedaholics.com. They deliver next day. I purchased lots of seeds on monday from them and spotted this myself. I had heard it was easy to grow....

Kale, Cavolo Nero "Nero de Toscana" Black Cabbage€ 1.29
Until recently Cavolo Nero, or 'Tuscan Kale', was one of Italy's best kept secrets. Simply adored, especially in the north of Italy, it has been an essential fare with, or as part of, traditional dishes for centuries. Cavolo Nero can now be found in garden markets, specialist greengrocers and trendy restaurants throughout Europe.

Happy Sowing,
Risin

Sive · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:39 am Post subject:

Thank you so much, Risin, no sooner said than done....I've just sent in my first order to seedaholics. What a good name for a seed company......I can see me becoming quite addicted to it !
And I don't know whether you've noticed the same....but I think garden centres are stocking a much smaller variety of flower/ornamental seeds this year and concentrating more on vegetables...which of course is no bad thing. But I think I'll be buying my flower seeds online from now on.
Thanks for the advice.

sal · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:54 am Post subject:

thought i`d give this a try,bad idea,i just got carried away on seedaholics,so i will be busy when the order comes,such an amazing site,fab flowers and veg,at least this time i checked to see if they were suitable before buying,definatly a site for my favorites.

Her Outdoors · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:48 pm Post subject:

I agree - great site and super fast delivery. I bought all my seeds (flowers and vegetables) last year and have enough vegetable seeds left for this year.

risin · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:58 am Post subject:

Sorry Sive and Sal, I should have included a WARNING that its easy to get carried away on the site. ..... It happens to me every time.

I particularly like them as I am a beginner and the seeds arrive with the full instructions you see on the webpage.

Risin Very Happy

Sive · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 3:53 pm Post subject:

One day later and my seeds arrived from seedaholic......what a great service. Too late about the warning, risin, I'm already hooked and am using the wish list facility on the website to remind myself what to order in future. I'm very impressed by the prices too, and delighted that I'm supporting an Irish company.

cathd · Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 11:04 pm Post subject:

I grew this last year (seeds from seedaholics) and they stood throughout the winter, so still enjoying it. definitely growing it again this year.

Sive · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:25 am Post subject:

Thanks for that, cathd. Is your garden sheltered ? Mine is rather exposed at the moment, and I'm wondering if the Tuscan Kale will get blown over as it seems so tall....
How tall did yours grow ?

cathd · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:03 am Post subject:

Mine didn't grow that tall, but the pigeons may have had something to do with that. Also, I tended to pick the leaves before they got too big, as they were nice steamed when nothing else was growing.

Sive · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject:

Good advice, cathd.....regular picking, so! As far as pigeons go, I have heard that Tuscan Kale is actually ignored by them......that's what attracted me to it !

cathd · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:24 pm Post subject: