Dinosaur Kale
Lagenaria siceraria
Larger, rounded blossom end with a narrow neck and slightly bulbed stem end. Harvest when the smooth, greenish rind turns white or starts to brown. Dry for crafting into durable bottles, birdhouses, etc. Trellis vines for consistent fruit shape. Avg. weight: 10-12 lb.
Harvest
125d
Days to harvest
Sun
lag-en-AR-ee-uh sy-ker-AR-ee-uh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
9-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Dinosaur Kale in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 brassica →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Dinosaur Kale · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | July – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | July – December |
| Zone 9 | January – January | February – March | February – March | June – December |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | January – March | May – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: lag-en-AR-ee-uh sy-ker-AR-ee-uh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Fruit (a pepo to 3 feet long) has a smooth, light green skin when young, but matures to yellow or light brown. Mature fruits take a variety of shapes, including rounded, dumbbell-shaped, bottle-shaped or crookneck-shaped. The fruit is fleshy and dry but not split open.
Color: Cream/Tan. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Seeds, leaves, flowers, and young stems are all edible when the fruit is young. As it ages off the vine, the fruit hardens leaving the seeds inside.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh dinosaur kale stores exceptionally well compared to curly varieties due to its sturdy leaf structure. Remove damaged leaves, wash and thoroughly dry remaining leaves, then wrap loosely in paper towels and store in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Properly stored leaves maintain quality for 10-14 days at 32-35°F.
For longer preservation, blanch leaves for 2-3 minutes, shock in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in freezer bags for up to 12 months. The thick leaves hold their texture better than other kale varieties when frozen. Dehydrate at 125°F for 6-8 hours to make kale chips that store for months in airtight containers. Ferment chopped leaves with salt to create a nutritious sauerkraut-style preserve that keeps for 6+ months refrigerated.
History & Origin
Origin: Western Tropical Africa to Ethiopia and Tanzania
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Heat, Humidity
- +Attracts: Twining
- +Wildlife value: Attracts hummingbirds.
- +Edible: Seeds, leaves, flowers, and young stems are all edible when the fruit is young. As it ages off the vine, the fruit hardens leaving the seeds inside.
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve flavor
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on cabbage pests
Onions
Repel cabbage worms and aphids with their strong scent
Garlic
Deters flea beetles and cabbage loopers
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and general garden pests
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and efficient space utilization
Carrots
Help break up soil and don't compete for nutrients
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and may stunt kale growth
Strawberries
May inhibit growth due to root competition and allelopathic effects
Pole Beans
Can shade kale and compete for nutrients, reducing leaf production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168421)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to bolting and frost damage. Moderate resistance to common brassica diseases.
Common Pests
Cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, downy mildew, white rust