When Should You Plant Kale?
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GardenSays
Direct-sow kale plants outside Apr 7 – Apr 14 — they shrug off frost.
- Spring sowing
- Apr 7 – Apr 14
- Fall crop
- Jul 3 – Aug 12
- Last frost (typ.)
- May 5
In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5, and kale plants are cold-hardy — so unlike tomatoes, you don't wait for frost to pass. Sow 21-28 days before the last frost: Apr 7 – Apr 14, as soon as soil is workable.
Do this this week
- 1.Sow the fall crop now — the window runs through Aug 12
- 2.Skip cold, waterlogged days — workable soil crumbles in your hand, mud rots seed
Calculated result · 3 verified sources · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
Cool-season crops get a second season: sow again Jul 3 – Aug 12 for a fall harvest — many gardeners find the fall crop sweeter and less bothered by pests.
- Kale plants germinate in cold soil and tolerate frost that would kill warm-season crops — waiting until after the last frost wastes their best growing weather.
- The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint — for hardy crops an early start risks little.
When this doesn't apply
- Fall window is derived from the UMD rule 'days-to-maturity plus 10-14 days before first frost' across kale's 40-80 day range (our calculation from that rule). Frost improves flavor — kale stands through heavy fall frosts.
- Cold, waterlogged soil rots seed — 'workable' means it crumbles in your hand, not mud.
How this was calculated
- 1. Last spring frostMay 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
- 2. Direct-sow windowApr 7 – Apr 14Calculated result
Kale is cold-hardy: sow outside 21-28 days before the last frost, once soil is workable
- 3. Fall crop windowJul 3 – Aug 12Calculated result
Cool-season bonus round: sow again 54-94 days before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5)
Data sources
- University of Maryland Extension — Growing Leafy Greens in a Home Garden — Kale: spring-sow as soon as soil can be worked, 3-4 weeks before the frost date; fall crop = days-to-maturity + 10-14 days before first frost; 40-80 days from seed; spacing 12-24 in-row x 30-36 rows (2-4 in for repeated baby harvest); tolerates partial shade (4-6 hrs); hardy through heavy spring and fall frosts. (checked 2026-07-17)
- NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
- National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)
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