When to plant kale
Short answer
Plant kale about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 18, starting seeds indoors about Mar 11. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Dec 11 | Dec 18 | Feb 11 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 11 | Jan 18 | Mar 14 |
| Zone 3 | Feb 3 | Feb 10 | Apr 6 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 23 | Mar 2 | Apr 26 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 11 | Mar 18 | May 12 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 26 | Apr 2 | May 27 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 27 | May 4 | Jun 28 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Kale is a hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for kale
When to plant kale comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Kale is a hardy crop, so it goes in about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 18.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last spring frost (around Mar 11 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 55 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for kale ranges from about Feb 10 in warm zone 3 to Apr 17 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Kale is hardy — it goes in before the last frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 5 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 55 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Tolerates cool soil and light frost |
How kale compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Kale | Mar 18 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing kale
- Start kale early — it tolerates cool soil and a light frost, so you can plant before your last spring frost.
- Give kale a 5 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 55 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for kale dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant kale?
Plant kale about 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 2; in a colder zone 6, Apr 2.
When do I start kale seeds indoors?
Start kale seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 26 in zone 6.
How long until kale is ready to harvest?
About 55 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, kale planted around Apr 2 is typically ready near May 27.