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	Jan 1	Jan 1	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.

Your exact dates

Open the planting calendar

Other crops

Tomatoes Peppers Lettuce Peas Spinach Carrots Radishes Beets Broccoli Cabbage Onions Cucumbers Zucchini / squash Green beans

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant kale?

Sow kale directly about 4 weeks before your last spring frost — it tolerates cold. 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 transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around Apr 2 are typically ready near May 27.