How to Grow Dinosaur Kale
Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia
Dinosaur Kale is a hardy brassica variety known for its dramatic, frilly leaves that resemble dinosaur scales. Gardeners prize this cool-season crop not only for its unique appearance but also for its robust flavor and ability to withstand light frosts while maintaining quality.
📷 Wikipedia: Brassica oleraceaStarting Dinosaur Kale: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Dinosaur Kale is not usually started indoors.
This variety is best direct-sown into the garden rather than transplanted, though sturdy seedlings can be moved carefully if started indoors within the recommended window.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your soil by ensuring it has good drainage and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, which suits brassicas well. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start them indoors 2 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date. Press seeds lightly into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch, as they need darkness to germinate. Expect sprouts in 7 to 10 days under optimal conditions.
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow their large leaves room to expand without crowding. While this kale does not require trellising or support, keep the soil consistently moist with about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth slows during extended periods.
Watch for cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, and loopers; use row covers or hand-pick pests early. Prevent clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, and white rust by rotating crops and avoiding overhead watering that keeps leaves wet. Harvest outer leaves when the plant reaches maturity after 125 days from sowing, cutting them at the base to encourage continued growth.
When to Plant Dinosaur Kale
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | October – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | July – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | June – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | May – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | April – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | April – December |
Companion Plants for Dinosaur Kale
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage pests
Deters flea beetles and cabbage loopers
Provides ground cover and efficient space utilization
Repel nematodes and general garden pests
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles
Repel cabbage worms and aphids with their strong scent
✗ Keep away from
Can shade kale and compete for nutrients, reducing leaf production
May inhibit growth due to root competition and allelopathic effects
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt kale growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
