When to plant kale
Kale tolerates frost, so start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2–4 weeks before it; for a fall crop, transplant 8–10 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 40°F.
Kale dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Start indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
|---|---|
| Transplant outside | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Transplant for fall | Aug 15–29 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Sep 3 |
| Soil temperature | 40°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 50–65 |
| Spacing | 12–18 in apart |
Your kale year
- Start indoors
- Transplant outside
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant for fall
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for kale
- Kale tastes sweeter after frost and tolerates temperatures into the low 20s°F.
- Pick the lower leaves and let the center keep growing for months of harvest.
- Fall kale is usually better than spring kale because it matures into cooling weather.
Work out indoor sowing for everything at once with the seed starting calculator.
When to plant kale in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Transplant | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Mar 2–16 | Sep 11–25 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Mar 13–27 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Oct 6–20 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Jan 5–19 | Oct 16–30 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Dec 8–22 | Oct 25 – Nov 8 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Mar 2–16 | Sep 8–22 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Feb 2–16 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Feb 13–27 | Sep 8–22 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | Apr 2–16 | Aug 3–17 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Mar 7–21 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 7–21 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Mar 7–21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Mar 4–18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Mar 3–17 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 15–29 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Mar 2–16 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
Kale planting FAQ
When should I plant kale?
Kale tolerates frost, so start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2–4 weeks before it; for a fall crop, transplant 8–10 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 40°F.
How many days until kale is ready to harvest?
Most kale varieties take about 50–65 days from transplanting. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can kale survive frost?
Yes. Kale tolerates frost and light freezes, which is why they can be planted weeks before the last frost date.
How far apart should I plant kale?
Space kale 12–18 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant kale?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost, allowing a week or two extra because kale tolerates light frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing kale
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.