Kale

Use our zone-based planting guide to know when to plant kale.

Plant name Zone Start seeds indoors Start seeds outdoors Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors Plant spacing # plants per person
Kale 3a March 1-April 1; May 1-June 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 3b March 1-April 1; May 1-June 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 4a March 1-April 1; May 1-June 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 4b March 1-April 1; May 1-June 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 April 15-May 1; July 15-Aug. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 5a Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 5b Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 6a Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 6b Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 7a Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 7b Feb. 1-March 1; June 1-July 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 March 15-April 1; Aug. 15-Sept. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 8a Jan. 1-Feb.1; Aug. 1-Sept. 1 Feb. 15-March 1; Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Feb. 15-March 1; Sept. 15-Oct. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 8b Jan. 1-Feb.1; Aug. 1-Sept. 1 Feb. 15-March 1; Sept. 15-Oct. 1 Feb. 15-March 1; Sept. 15-Oct. 1 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 9a Fall and winter Fall and winter Fall and winter 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 9b Fall and winter Fall and winter Fall and winter 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 10a Fall and winter Fall and winter Fall and winter 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 10b Fall and winter Fall and winter Fall and winter 18-24 inches 3-5
Kale 11a Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Kale 11b Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended

* In colder climates, start seeds indoors, then transplant seedlings outside roughly 4 weeks before the average last frost date. In warmer climates, kale can be grown all fall and winter.