Kale Black Microgreen Seeds
Grow fresh Black Kale microgreens at home in approximately 8–14 days. Black Kale microgreen seeds produce attractive dark green seedlings with a mild, earthy kale flavour and tender, crisp texture. Also known as Nero di Toscana, Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale and Lacinato Kale, this traditional Italian variety is well suited to growing as nutritious young microgreens.
Black Kale microgreens are suitable for home growers, restaurants and commercial microgreen production. They grow readily in shallow trays using soil, coir, hemp growing mats or other suitable microgreen growing media and can be produced indoors throughout the year with adequate light and ventilation.
Seedmart Black Kale microgreen seeds are untreated, heirloom and open-pollinated Nero di Toscana seed, available in packet and bulk quantities for home and commercial growers.
Black Kale Microgreen Seed Details
| acephala | Variety | Nero di Toscana | Other names | Black Kale, Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale, Dinosaur Kale | Seed type | Heirloom and open-pollinated | Seed treatment | Untreated | Seeds per gram | Approximately 400 | Pre-soak | Not required | Approximate sowing rate | Approximately 15–20 g per 10 × 20 inch tray | Growing medium | Soil, coir or hemp growing mats | Germination | Approximately 3–5 days | Typical harvest | Approximately 8–14 days | Availability | Retail packets and bulk quantities |
|---|---|
Why Grow Black Kale Microgreens?
- Fast-growing microgreen variety with a relatively short crop cycle.
- Produces attractive dark green seedlings with a fresh, mild kale flavour.
- Traditional Italian Nero di Toscana heirloom variety.
- Suitable for growing indoors throughout the year.
- Can be grown on soil, coir or hydroponic hemp growing mats.
- No seed pre-soaking required.
- Untreated, open-pollinated seed.
- Suitable for home and commercial microgreen production.
- Available in smaller packets and economical bulk quantities.
- Supplied by an Australian-owned seed company.
How to Grow Black Kale Microgreens
Black Kale microgreens are easy to grow in shallow trays and do not normally require pre-soaking. For a standard 10 × 20 inch microgreen tray, approximately 15–20 grams of seed provides a useful starting sowing rate. Adjust the quantity according to your tray dimensions, growing medium and preferred crop density.
- Prepare the growing tray.
Add approximately 3–4 cm of moist growing medium to a shallow tray and gently level the surface. Suitable media include quality soil, coir or a purpose-made hemp growing mat. - Sow the Black Kale seeds.
Spread the seed evenly across the surface of the growing medium. Aim for consistent coverage while avoiding heavy piles of overlapping seed. - Mist thoroughly.
Use a spray mister to moisten the seeds and growing surface evenly after sowing. - Stack or cover the tray.
Cover with another tray and apply light, even weight during the initial germination period. Keep the trays in a suitable, well-ventilated growing area away from direct sunlight. - Maintain moisture during germination.
Check the tray regularly and water as required to keep the growing medium evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Germination commonly begins within approximately 3–5 days. - Introduce the seedlings to light.
Once the seedlings have established and are pushing upwards, remove the covering tray and move them into suitable natural or artificial growing light. The cotyledons will open and develop their characteristic green colour. - Harvest the microgreens.
Black Kale microgreens are commonly ready to harvest approximately 8–14 days after sowing. Cut the stems cleanly just above the growing medium once the seedlings have reached your preferred size and stage.
What Do Black Kale Microgreens Taste Like?
Black Kale microgreens have a mild, fresh and slightly earthy kale flavour with a subtle sweetness. The young seedlings are much more tender than mature Cavolo Nero leaves and have crisp stems and soft green cotyledons.
Their relatively mild flavour makes them versatile for salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls and garnishes. They can also be added to smoothies and other cold dishes for colour, texture and fresh leafy flavour.
Black Kale Microgreens vs Curly Kale Microgreens
Both Black Kale and curly kale can be grown successfully as microgreens, but they originate from different kale varieties and develop somewhat different characteristics as the plants mature.
| Feature | Black Kale Microgreens | Curly Kale Microgreens |
|---|---|---|
| Variety type | Nero di Toscana / Lacinato type | Curly-leaved kale type |
| Microgreen colour | Deep green | Green, depending on variety |
| Flavour | Mild, earthy and subtly sweet | Mild, fresh kale flavour |
| Typical harvest | Approximately 8–14 days | Usually within a similar microgreen harvest range |
How to Use Black Kale Microgreens
Fresh Black Kale microgreens are versatile young greens that can be used in many of the same ways as other mild brassica microgreens. Their dark green colour and delicate texture make them particularly useful where both flavour and presentation are important.
- Add fresh Black Kale microgreens to salads and salad bowls.
- Use as a topping for sandwiches, wraps and burgers.
- Add to grain bowls, vegetable bowls and cold dishes.
- Use as a fresh garnish for restaurant and café meals.
- Blend into green smoothies.
- Combine with radish, mustard, broccoli or cabbage microgreens to create mixed microgreen crops and salads.
For best texture, Black Kale microgreens are generally used fresh or added shortly before serving rather than subjected to prolonged cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Black Kale microgreens take to grow?
Black Kale microgreens are commonly ready to harvest approximately 8–14 days after sowing. Growth rate varies according to temperature, light, moisture, airflow and other growing conditions.
What variety are Black Kale Microgreen Seeds?
Seedmart Black Kale Microgreen Seeds are the traditional Italian Nero di Toscana variety, also widely known as Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale or Dinosaur Kale.
Do Black Kale microgreen seeds need to be soaked?
No. Black Kale seeds do not normally require pre-soaking before sowing as microgreens.
How many Black Kale seeds should I use in a 10 × 20 tray?
Approximately 15–20 grams of Black Kale microgreen seed per standard 10 × 20 inch tray provides a useful starting rate. Individual growers may adjust sowing density according to their growing medium, equipment and preferred harvest stage.
How long do Black Kale seeds take to germinate?
Under suitable microgreen growing conditions, germination commonly occurs within approximately 3–5 days.
Can Black Kale microgreens be grown without soil?
Yes. Black Kale microgreens can be grown using suitable soilless media including coir and purpose-made hemp growing mats. The growing medium should retain adequate moisture while still allowing suitable drainage and airflow.
Do Black Kale microgreens need light?
The seeds can be covered during the initial germination stage. Once the seedlings have established and are pushing upwards, uncover the tray and provide suitable natural or artificial growing light so the cotyledons can open and develop their green colour.
When should I uncover Black Kale microgreens?
Black Kale microgreens can generally be uncovered once germination is well established and the young seedlings are pushing upwards against the covering tray. This is commonly within approximately 3–5 days, depending on growing conditions.
What do Black Kale microgreens taste like?
Black Kale microgreens have a mild, fresh and slightly earthy kale flavour with a subtle sweetness. They are tender when harvested young and are suitable for salads, sandwiches, wraps, bowls, smoothies and garnishes.
Is Black Kale the same as Cavolo Nero?
Yes. Black Kale is commonly known as Cavolo Nero and is also called Nero di Toscana, Tuscan Kale, Lacinato Kale and Dinosaur Kale. These names are commonly used for the distinctive dark-leaved Italian kale type.
Can Black Kale Microgreen Seeds also be grown to full maturity?
Yes. Nero di Toscana is a traditional kale variety and can be grown as microgreens, baby leaf greens or allowed to mature into full-sized kale plants. Growing methods, spacing and harvest times will differ depending on the intended crop.
Are Seedmart Black Kale Microgreen Seeds treated?
No. Seedmart Black Kale Microgreen Seeds are supplied as untreated seed.
Are Black Kale Microgreen Seeds open-pollinated?
Yes. Nero di Toscana is an heirloom, open-pollinated kale variety.
Where can I buy Black Kale Microgreen Seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies untreated Black Kale Microgreen Seeds in packet and bulk quantities for home growers, restaurants, commercial microgreen growers and businesses throughout Australia.
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