Don't have a lot of space for tree kale? No worries, this Dwarf Dino variety is just for you! This is another Perennial Permaculture introduction. This awesome Perma Kale variety makes small dinosaur kale-like leaves, but on a much smaller plant. You can prune it to keep it any height you'd like and the leaves tend to stay smaller than our other perennial kales and collards. (Brassica oleracea)
*Rooted plants of this variety will be an exact clone of the mother. Seeds will exhibit genetic diversity and you'll see wonderful variations in your plant babies.
We also offer 2 other varieties of Perma Kale: Lilac Lizard & Blue Belly Kale.
Why We Love It
Here are some of the reasons why we love the Dwarf Dino Kale...
1) AWESOME TEXTURE - These leaves remind us of mini dino kale leaves. They have a wonderful bumpy texture which helps them absorb flavors in cooking.
2) MANAGEABLE SIZE - This plant has stayed considerably smaller in our garden compared to our other perma kales. You can prune it and keep it at any height you'd like.
3) PEST RESISTANT - Like all of our Perma Kales, we've selected this one to be drought tolerant, pest resistant, and can handle our wild swings in temperatures with ease.
How to Grow It
Here's how to grow Dwarf Dino Kale:
| SUN | FULL TO PART-SUN |
| MOISTURE | LIKES GARDEN MOISTURE |
| GROWING ZONES | PERENNIAL OUTDOORS IN USDA ZONES 8-10, CUTTINGS CAN BE OVER-WINTERED INDOORS EVERYWHERE ELSE (Not sure? Find your growing zone here) |
| SIZE | 2-4 FEET TALL & 2 FEET WIDE |
| GROWING |
From cuttings: We like to root cuttings in 4" or 1 gallon pots. Fill with moistened potting soil. Simply bury the cutting halfway in the soil. Tamp around the cutting to secure. Water occasionally to keep the soil moist. That's it! They root super easily and you should see new leaves start popping in 4-8 weeks. We root outside year-round in zone 9 and above. If you're colder than this, keep your potted cutting on a window sill until Spring. Let us know if you need any support. We're here for you! From rooted plant: We trim all of the leaves except for the top leaf for shipping to prevent dehydration. Once you plant into moist soil, it will spring to life for you and immediately start growing leaves. It's best not to let your plant flower as it's getting settled into its new home. Trim off any flowers for the first few months. It will seem to grow slowly for the first couple months as the roots settle in, and then it will boom with growth! PRO TIP: The key for this wonderful, branching perennial green is to harvest often! It will allow for optimal air flow, which will keep your kale happy and healthy. If you live in a cooler growing zone, take a branch cutting in the late Fall and pop into a pot and bring indoors for the winter. You can plant out again in the Spring. |
Here are some pruning tips below:
How to Harvest & Use It
Harvest the outer, largest leaves. We suggest harvesting 1/3 or less of the leaves at a time so the plant can continue to gather sun and photosynthesize. Your Dwarf Dino Kale will pop up a flower stalk in the spring. The immature flower buds can be harvested and eaten just like broccoli (it's the same family). While it's flowering, you'll notice that it doesn't make as many leaves. After the plant is finished flowering, cut off the flower stalks and it will increase its leaf production again and give you leaves all summer, fall, and winter.