Kale Planting Guide — All Zones
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Last updated: May 15, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
18 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.5 inch
Min Soil Temp
40°F
Germination
5–10 days
Days to Maturity
50–75 days
Frost Tolerance
Heavy frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
Zone 2Zone 2aZone 2bZone 3Zone 3aZone 3bZone 4Zone 4aZone 4bZone 5Zone 5aZone 5bZone 6Zone 6aZone 6bZone 7Zone 7aZone 7bZone 8Zone 8aZone 8bZone 9Zone 9aZone 9bZone 10Zone 10aZone 10bZone 11Zone 11aZone 11b
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | Apr 6 | May 25 | — | Jul 21 | Sep 2 |
| Zone 3 | Mar 27 | May 15 | — | Jul 11 | Sep 4 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 22 | May 10 | — | Jul 6 | Aug 30 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 12 | Apr 30 | — | Jun 26 | Aug 20 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 25 | Apr 15 | — | Jun 11 | Aug 5 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 15 | Apr 5 | — | Jun 1 | Jul 26 |
| Zone 8 | Jan 30 | Mar 20 | — | May 16 | Jul 10 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 10 | Feb 28 | — | Apr 26 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 10 | Dec 23 | Feb 10 | — | Apr 8 | Jun 2 |
| Zone 11 | Dec 17 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Mar 13 | May 7 |
What you'll need — Your Zone
🛒 Kale — Seeds & Supplies
- 🌱 Kale Seeds
Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.
Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Tomato Strawberry
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.