When to Plant Kale in Moab, UT
Top priorities for Grand County, Utah gardeners in August
Welcome to August in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Collect kale at their peak
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
-
Kick off the fall garden with kale
Your first frost is about 9 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.
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.
Moab, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.
At an elevation of 5,415 feet, Grand County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Kale during the growing season.
Moab Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Kale 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 Moab
How your county's soil matches Kale's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.9) overlaps with Kale's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Grand 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 (2.1%). 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 Aug 04 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 04.
Kale Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 2.2" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.5" | 2.9" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.5" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 2.4" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 2.1" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.1" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grand 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 — Moab, UT
Kale Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Direct Sow | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Aug 9 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
50–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
177 days in Grand County
Growing Tips for Kale in Moab
Direct sow Kale outdoors after April 19 in Grand County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Grand County reach 91°F — grow Kale as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
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
Your Grand County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Grand County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.