When to Plant Kale in Columbiana County, OH
May in Columbiana County, Ohio — your action list
Each item below is timed to Columbiana County, Ohio's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
June prep starts now
- Starting indoors: kale
- First harvests: 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.
Columbiana County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.
At an elevation of 1,265 feet, Columbiana County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Kale during the growing season.
Columbiana County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7
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 Columbiana County
How your county's soil matches Kale's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.0) is within Kale's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Columbiana County is excellent for Kale — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Kale.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Kale will thrive.
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 Aug 09 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.3" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Columbiana 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 — Columbiana County, OH
Kale Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Direct Sow | April 16 | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Harvest | June 25 | Jun 25 – Aug 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
171 days in Columbiana County
Growing Tips for Kale in Columbiana County
Direct sow Kale outdoors after April 30 in Columbiana 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.
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 Columbiana County, OH?
Columbiana County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Kale planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Columbiana County, OH?
Columbiana County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your Columbiana County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Columbiana County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.