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When to Plant Kale in Trumbull County, OH

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.

Trumbull County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, Trumbull County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Kale during the growing season.

Trumbull County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Trumbull County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kale Planting Timeline — Trumbull County, OH

Kale Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Aug 24
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Trumbull County

Growing Tips for Trumbull County

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

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Kale Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow 2nd year flower stalks to dry. Harvest pods when tan.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) — they all cross.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kale in Trumbull County, OH?

Trumbull County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Kale planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trumbull County, OH?

Trumbull County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Trumbull County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Trumbull 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Trumbull County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.