When to Plant Kale
Published:
Frost-hardy leafy green that actually tastes better after a light frost. Plant 3–5 weeks before last frost for spring or late summer for fall and winter harvests.
When to plant kale
- Start seeds indoors: 5 weeks before last frost
- Direct sow outdoors: 4 weeks before last frost
- Minimum soil temperature: 40°F
- Days to harvest: 55–75 days
- Sun requirement: Full sun to partial shade
- Spacing: 18 inches apart
- Water: 1 inches per week
- Fall crop: Yes — plant 8 weeks before first fall frost
⚠ Plant kale 3–5 weeks before last frost for spring. Best planted in late summer (6–8 weeks before first fall frost) for fall/winter harvest. Frost sweetens the flavor.
Growing Tips for Kale
- •Harvest outer leaves first using the cut-and-come-again method; the central growing point will produce for months.
- •Kale leaves become sweeter after the first frost as plants convert starches to sugars — wait for cold nights for best flavor.
- •Use floating row covers to block cabbage white butterflies from laying eggs on plants.
- •In Zones 6+, kale often overwinters in the garden and produces through early spring before bolting.
Companion Planting for Kale
✅ Plant kale with
- • Onion
- • Garlic
- • Beet
- • Celery
- • Dill
❌ Avoid planting near
- • Tomato
- • Strawberry
- • Bean
Common Kale Pests and Problems
Regional pest pressure varies — see your state guide below for state-specific pest calendars and treatment timing.
Kale Planting Dates by State
Select your state for exact sow and transplant dates based on local frost calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I plant kale?
Plant kale 3–5 weeks before your last frost date for a spring crop. For a fall crop (often tastier), plant 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost date — typically late July to mid-August in most climates. Kale tolerates light frost and actually improves in flavor after cold weather.
Should I start kale from seed or transplants?
Both work well. Direct sow 4 weeks before last frost for spring, or 8 weeks before first fall frost for fall. Or start indoors 5 weeks before outdoor planting. Transplants give you a 4-week head start on harvest, which matters more for fall crops racing against shorter days than for spring crops.
Can kale survive winter?
In Zones 7+, most kale varieties survive winter outdoors and produce new leaves through spring until bolting. In Zones 5–6, cold-hardy varieties like Winterbor and Red Russian survive with row cover protection. In Zones 3–4, plants are typically killed by extreme cold but can be mulched heavily in fall for a chance at spring regrowth.
How do I harvest kale so it keeps producing?
Use the cut-and-come-again method: snap or cut the lower outer leaves when they reach 8–10 inches, leaving the top 5–7 young leaves and central growing point intact. A single plant will produce continuously for 3–6 months. Never cut the central growing point — doing so stops new leaf production.
What should I plant with kale?
Alliums (onion, garlic) repel cabbage white butterflies. Beets, celery, and dill attract beneficial insects. Nasturtiums as a trap crop draw aphids away from kale. Avoid tomatoes, strawberries, and beans which compete for the same nutrients and attract overlapping pests.