When to Plant Kale in Costilla County, CO
Top priorities for Costilla County, Colorado gardeners in May
A quick May briefing for Costilla County, Colorado gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Seed kale outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Transplants going out: 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.
Costilla County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 8 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 100 days.
At an elevation of 5,598 feet, Costilla County receives approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Kale during the growing season.
Costilla County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Costilla County
How your county's soil matches Kale's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) overlaps with Kale's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Costilla County is excellent for Kale — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Kale.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Kale.
How to Plant Kale
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Kale
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Kale
Kale needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Kale Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.3" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 2" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 2.5" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.7" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Costilla County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Kale Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Kale Planting Timeline — Costilla County, CO
Kale Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 4 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 8 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 15 |
| Harvest | August 3 | Aug 3 – Sep 28 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
100 days in Costilla County
Growing Tips for Kale in Costilla County
Direct sow Kale outdoors after June 08 in Costilla County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Kale in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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.
Recommended Kale Varieties for Costilla County
Cold-hardy kale that improves in flavor after frost
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) — they all cross.
Kale in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kale in Costilla County, CO?
Costilla County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 8. Plan your Kale planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Costilla County, CO?
Costilla County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 8 and first fall frost is September 16.
Your Costilla County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Costilla County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.