Product Overview
Dinosaur kale, often called Lacinato kale, is recognizable by its deep blue-green tone and uniquely textured, elongated leaves. Its flavor is robust with a gentle sweetness, making it versatile in the kitchen. The leaves are tender enough to enjoy raw but also hold up well when sautéed, simmered into soups, or roasted. Known for excellent cold tolerance and slow bolting, it grows reliably in raised beds, traditional gardens, or spacious containers. Throughout the growing season, it produces a steady harvest of nutrient-dense, flavorful foliage. Dinosaur kale brings standout color, texture, and taste to any garden.
Dinosaur Kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia)
Heirloom kale known for long, deeply textured dark-green leaves. Excellent flavour cooked or fresh, with vigorous plants that tolerate cold and slow bolting for a long harvest window.
| Days to Maturity | 60–80 days (baby leaves from 30–40 days) |
| Plant Size | Upright habit, typically 24–36" tall and 18–24" wide at maturity |
| Exposure | Full sun to part sun |
| Start Indoors | Start 4–6 weeks before last frost and transplant after hard frost risk has passed |
| Direct Sow | Sow outdoors once soil is workable; succession sow for continual harvest |
| Seed Depth / Germination | Sow ¼–½" deep. Germinates in 5–10 days at 60–75°F (16–24°C) |
| Spacing | Space plants 12–18" apart; rows 18–24" apart |
| Soil & Water | Moist, fertile, well-amended soil. Water consistently for tender leaves; mulching helps maintain quality through heat. |
| Special Traits | Extremely cold hardy; slow to bolt; steady harvests; withstands fall frosts for sweeter flavour. |
| Flavor & Uses | Rich, earthy flavour with mild sweetness. Excellent raw, sautéed, wilted, added to soups, or roasted. |
| Harvest | Pick outside leaves regularly; plants continue producing new centres. Improves flavour after light frost. |
