Kale Planting Guide
Kale is an exceptionally hardy, nutrient-dense green available in curly, lacinato, and Russian varieties. It tolerates heavy frost and often tastes sweeter after cold exposure.
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 50–70 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Kale Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Kale?
Kale Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Kale planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 17 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jul 5 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 1 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 26 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Aug 8 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 29 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 20 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | May 13 – Jul 8 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 3 – Jun 28 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 22 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Apr 7 – Jun 2 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 22 – May 17 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Kale is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Kale
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Kale
Kale matures in just 50–70 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.7 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Kale
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Kale
Direct sow or transplant in early spring or late summer. Harvest outer leaves first to keep plants productive. Kale overwinters in many climates and can provide greens all year.
💧 Watering: Kale needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Kale Seeds
Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) — they all cross.
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Kale by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Kale?
Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) takes 50 to 70 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Kale grow in?
Kale can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Kale need?
Growing Kale requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.