Cavalo nero v Nero di Toscana v Cavalo nero di Toscana

[Raquel]

HELP!!! Does anyone know the difference between them? Are they the same? I'm confused... Does anyone have seeds of/experience on any of them?

I want to sow some for winter but it seems that almost all the recipes refer to "Cavalo nero" and almost all the seed merchants to "Nero di Toscana"!

Can anyone help??????

[Alexx]

Apparently they are the same. (Cant paste the link for some reason but if you google them both you'll find a lot of info)

You always learn something new

[Earthbabe]

Having grown some last year I concur they are one and the same. Unfortunately I am struggling to get much seed (left over from last year) to germinate this year although I am drying some of the seed pods at the moment.

[Raquel]

Thank you for your help! Armed with my newly gained knowledge I went out yesterday and got myself some Nero de Toscana seeds from a local garden centre... now just need better weather to sow my new seeds!

[Snadger]

I usually just refer to it as 'Black Tuskan' kale and I also grow Red Russian kale!

[momol]

Thank you for your help! Armed with my newly gained knowledge I went out yesterday and got myself some Nero de Toscana seeds from a local garden centre... now just need better weather to sow my new seeds!

Hi Raquel,

It is end of may, you should be able to sow now without waiting any longer
unless your area still subject to frost. Nero di Toscano are brassica's family, they love cool weather and can withstand cold weather ( I think they are winter hardy but do need some wind protections during winter ).

Happy planting,
Momol

[Snadger]

Hi Raquel,

It is end of may, you should be able to sow now without waiting any longer
unless your area still subject to frost. Nero di Toscano are brassica's family, they love cool weather and can withstand cold weather ( I think they are winter hardy but do need some wind protections during winter ).

Happy planting,
Momol

I agree momol...out of all the winter kales they are the 'softest'! Worth percevering with though as they are also one of the tastiest!
Even when they do eventually run to seed there seed heads can be eaten like broccoli and are very tasty!

[bubblewrap]

HELP!!! Does anyone know the difference between them? Are they the same? I'm confused... Does anyone have seeds of/experience on any of them?

I want to sow some for winter but it seems that almost all the recipes refer to "Cavalo nero" and almost all the seed merchants to "Nero di Toscana"!

Can anyone help??????

Nero in Greek means Water

[Earthbabe]

Just as well it's in italian then and can happily mean black

[Two_Sheds]

This is a great Kale, stands all winter, tastes delish (but that means the caterpillars like it too)
Shame none of mine germinated this year, huh?

[Earthbabe]

I've had probs with mine too but that is from last year's seed. I'm hoping to have some saved from the stuff that went to seed earlier in the year but will probably buy some to be sure as it is lush.

[Snadger]

I've had probs with mine too but that is from last year's seed. I'm hoping to have some saved from the stuff that went to seed earlier in the year but will probably buy some to be sure as it is lush.

Looking at your avatar Earthbabe I always envisioned you as being OLDER!

[Earthbabe]

I've kept well but thought you might all prefer the vision that is Miss EB compared to my not so photogenic self

[pigletwillie]

My Cavelo Nero is now pricked out in modules and will be planted out in a few weeks. Just how hardy is it?

[Snadger]

My Cavelo Nero is now prickedo ut in modules and will be planted out in a few weeks. Just how hardy is it?

I still think it's the softest of all the kales, relatively, but having said that, I managed to grow it (and am growing it again) in the NE of England!

I think it is also called Dinosaur Kale because it looks like a small version of the trees in Jurrasic Park!

Good for you as well!

http://www.seedsofchange.com/enewsle...ue_57/kale.asp