When to Plant Kale in USDA Zone 4a
Your June gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 4a this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Get kale seeds going inside
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
- First harvests: kale
- Fall sowing: kale
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.
In Zone 4a, the average last spring frost is around May 6 and the first fall frost is around September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
Kale Planting Timeline — Zone 4a
Where Is USDA Zone 4a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 4a. Click any state to see the Kale planting schedule for that location.
Kale Planting Calendar — Zone 4a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Direct Sow | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 20 |
| Harvest | July 1 | Jul 1 – Aug 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 4a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 4a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
-30°F to -25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
145 days (Zone 4a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Kale in Zone 4a
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Kale in Zone 4a
Zone 4a has a short growing season (~145 days). Start Kale indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Kale Seeds
Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) — they all cross.
Recommended for Your Garden
Full-spectrum LED lights for starting seeds indoors when daylight is limited.
Warm soil for faster germination of heat-loving crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Protect plants from frost, wind, and pests while letting light and water through.
Related Plants
Kale in Other Zones
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
When should I plant Kale in Zone 4a?
In Zone 4a, plan your Kale planting around the average last frost date of May 6. Start seeds indoors around March 25. Direct sow outdoors around April 29. Transplant seedlings around May 6.
Can Kale grow in Zone 4a?
Yes, Kale can grow well in Zone 4a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 4a has a growing season of approximately 145 days, which is sufficient for Kale (50-70 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Kale in Zone 4a?
In Zone 4a, expect to harvest Kale from July 1 – August 26. Kale takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 4a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 4a is around May 6, and the first fall frost is around September 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 145 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Kale?
Good companion plants for Kale include Beets, Celery, Lettuce, Onion. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 4a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 4a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.