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When to Plant Kale in Bryce, UT

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.

Bryce, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 117 days.

At an elevation of 5,058 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 20.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Kale to ensure they mature before fall.

Bryce, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
117 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
117 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Bryce Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Kale

Kale needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kale Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Garfield County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kale Planting Timeline — Bryce, UT

Kale Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 16
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

117 days in Garfield County

Growing Tips for Bryce

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.

🌱

Your Garfield County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Garfield 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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