When to Plant Kale in My Zone? A Complete Planting Calendar and Step by Step Guide

Introduction: When to plant kale in my zone?

If you type when to plant kale in my zone? into Google, you get a dozen vague answers. Timing matters because kale is a cool-season crop, and the right week to sow depends on your last spring frost and first fall frost, not your calendar month. For example, in USDA Zone 5 start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost and move transplants out in April; in Zone 8 skip spring starts and plant for a fall harvest in September. Kale tolerates light frost and actually sweetens after cold spells, so knowing your frost dates changes everything.

Below you will get a zone-by-zone planting calendar, exact seed-start dates, transplant rules, succession planting schedules, frost-protection tips, and harvest timing you can use immediately.

Find your planting zone fast

To find your USDA hardiness or growing zone fast, enter your ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map or on sites like Almanac.com and Dave’s Garden. If you prefer mobile, the GardenAnswers app and many extension service tools will show your zone and average frost dates. Search when to plant kale in my zone? then note last spring and first fall frost. If your property sits between zones, plan for the colder zone, or use microclimate tactics such as planting near a south wall or adding row covers. When in doubt, check local extension recommendations and ask neighbors.

Kale basics that affect planting time

Kale prefers cool weather, about 45 to 75°F. It grows fastest and tastes best in that range, and leaves sweeten after a light frost. Growth stalls above 80°F and plants may bolt in sustained heat.

Most kale is cold-tolerant, varieties like Russian or Winterbor can survive down into the 20s with a mulch layer and a row cover. Baby kale is less hardy than established plants.

Germination takes 5 to 10 days at optimal temps, and maturity is usually 55 to 75 days. If you wonder when to plant kale in my zone? Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, or sow outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before.

Spring planting timeline, by zone group

Use this simple rule first, then match the calendar to your USDA zone. Sow kale indoors 4 to 8 weeks before your expected last frost, or direct sow 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after last frost. Transplant seedlings once they have 4 to 6 true leaves and the soil is workable.

Zones 2 to 4. These cold regions have late springs, so plan indoor sowing in April to early May, transplanting late May to July depending on your local frost date. Direct sowing works best in late May to June. Example, if your last frost is June 1, start seeds indoors around mid April and transplant in June.

Zones 5 to 7. Spring comes earlier. Start seeds indoors in late February to March, transplant March to April, or direct sow March to early April. Example, zone 6 with an April 15 last frost, start seeds indoors around early March and set out seedlings after mid April.

Zones 8 to 10. Spring warms quickly, so move fast. Direct sow or transplant in January to March for a successful spring crop, avoid planting too late into April or you will hit heat stress. In warm climates, fall planting often gives larger heads than a late spring sowing.

Fall planting and overwintering, by zone group

Fall planting timing depends on your USDA zone group and whether you want kale to simply provide a fall crop or to overwinter and leaf out in spring. If you find yourself Googling when to plant kale in my zone? start with your first expected fall frost and count backward.

Zone 3 and 4, for fall harvest, start transplants 10 to 12 weeks before first frost, or direct sow 8 to 10 weeks before. To overwinter, get sturdy plants in by mid to late July, mulch heavily, and use a cold frame or row cover. Expect winter dieback, with spring regrowth.

Zone 5 and 6, plant transplants 8 to 10 weeks before first frost, or sow seed 6 to 8 weeks before. For overwintering, plant in mid August to early September, protect with 2 to 4 inches of straw or leaf mulch and a light row cover. Flavors improve after light frosts.

Zone 7 and 8, you can sow as late as 6 to 8 weeks before frost, even into September. Overwintering is easier here; plant through September and use cloches for hard freezes. Expect steady winter harvest.

Zone 9 and 10, aim for October to November planting when temperatures cool. Kale can overwinter in many locations, but watch warm spells that cause bolting and pick heat tolerant varieties.

Seeds versus transplants, and how to schedule from your frost date

Start by finding your last spring frost and first fall frost dates. Then count backward.

Spring timing

• Zones 3 to 5, cold: start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost, harden off and transplant 2 to 4 weeks before last frost because kale tolerates light freezes.
• Zones 6 to 7, moderate: start seeds 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, transplant 1 to 3 weeks before.
• Zones 8 to 10, warm: direct sow or transplant in late winter for an early spring crop, or skip spring and plan a fall crop.

Fall timing

• For all zones, count backward from first frost. Start seeds indoors 4 to 8 weeks before first frost depending on zone, then transplant so plants have 4 to 8 weeks to grow before cold sets in.

Example: last frost April 30, zone 5, start seeds around March 15 and plan to transplant mid April. That answers when to plant kale in my zone?

Succession planting for continuous harvest

Succession planting is the simplest way to get a steady supply of kale, not a single glut. Aim to sow every 2 weeks if you want baby greens, or every 3 to 4 weeks for mature leaves. In hot summer months lengthen intervals to 4 to 6 weeks or switch to heat-tolerant varieties. Practical plan: split a bed into three staggered rows, sow row A week 0, row B week 2, row C week 4; harvest from A while B and C bulk up. When gardeners ask when to plant kale in my zone? start the first sowing indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost or direct sow 2 to 4 weeks before last frost, then continue those succession sowings through the cool fall window. Mix fast and slow varieties to extend the harvest window.

Soil, microclimate and cold protection tricks to shift planting dates

If you’re asking "when to plant kale in my zone?" start with soil temperature, not the calendar. Kale seeds germinate best around 60 to 70°F, transplants do fine above 50°F. Use a soil thermometer to be precise.

To warm a spot, build a raised, well-drained bed, amend with compost, then cover soil with black plastic or dark fabric for a week to absorb heat. Place beds on a south facing slope or next to a sunlit wall. For early planting use floating row covers, 0.9 ounce fabric for light frost protection, or make cloches from cut plastic bottles or inexpensive clear plastic tunnels to gain 4 to 8°F. To extend the season, add a cold frame or heavier row cover and mulch around roots. In hot zones, cool microclimates with 30 to 50 percent shade cloth and straw mulch to protect against bolting.

Common timing mistakes and how to fix them

Beginners make the same timing mistakes over and over, here are quick fixes you can use right away.

1. Planted too early in spring, seedlings stalled or rotted. Fix: wait two weeks past last frost for warm zones, or start indoors and harden off. If you asked "when to plant kale in my zone?" check your local frost dates first.
2. Planted too late for fall, plants didn’t size up. Fix: buy larger transplants, mulch heavily, and use a cold frame to extend the season.
3. Bolting from heat. Fix: add afternoon shade, water deeply, switch to cold-hardy varieties like Winterbor.
4. Crowded beds, slow growth. Fix: thin to recommended spacing, feed with compost tea, and succession sow every 3 weeks.

Quick cheat sheet: sample planting calendar by zone

Not sure when to plant kale in my zone? Quick cheat sheet with example dates. Adjust to your local last frost date.

• Zones 3 to 4, very cold: Spring transplant early May, direct sow mid May. Fall sow late July for harvest into first hard frost.
• Zones 5 to 6, cold: Spring transplant late April, direct sow early May. Fall sow mid August.
• Zones 7 to 8, mild: Spring transplant mid March, direct sow late March. Fall sow late September.
• Zones 9 to 10, warm: Spring plant Feb to March, fall sow October.

Checklist: know your last frost date, start indoors 4 weeks before transplant, soil 45°F or warmer, protect young plants from extreme heat or frost.

Conclusion: Practical next steps

Short version, practical takeaways: figure out your USDA zone, match kale sow dates to your last frost and first frost windows, and decide whether to start seeds indoors or sow direct. Kale prefers cool weather, so timing matters more than variety.

Three actions to do this week

1. Look up your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and note last frost date.
2. Download the printable planting calendar and seed-starting schedule from the resources section, then mark your seed start and transplant dates.
3. Order seeds now, and prep trays or a small cold frame if you plan to start indoors.

For more templates and a step-by-step checklist, see the resources below or contact your county extension office.