Cool-season crops
Kale planting calendar and growing plan
Kale can be established from seed or transplants and harvested at different leaf sizes. The reviewed layouts preserve those differences instead of using one universal spacing.
Plan dates for Kale
Editable exampleTransplant outside
Apr 3, 2027 Suggested windowDirect sow
A reviewed rule is not available for this action. StatusPaired transplant date (optional)
| Transplant outside | Start indoors |
|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2027 | Feb 20 – Mar 6, 2027 |
Sowing windows combine possible transplant dates. Choose a paired transplant date to narrow the nursery window. Wait for suitable soil and local conditions.
Direct sowing and transplanting are alternative ways to start a crop. Keep the tasks that match your method.
Sources and conditions
Use the chart’s nursery range before setting out.
- These are reviewed planning references. Check the variety, local soil and weather before acting; a frost date is not a forecast.
- The transplant calendar and direct-seeded spacing are separate reviewed methods. Select the intended method.
This setting-out date is a reference for hardened young kale plants.
- These are reviewed planning references. Check the variety, local soil and weather before acting; a frost date is not a forecast.
- The transplant calendar and direct-seeded spacing are separate reviewed methods. Select the intended method.
The reviewed guide says to sow when soil is workable. It does not provide a numeric frost offset for this action.
- These are reviewed planning references. Check the variety, local soil and weather before acting; a frost date is not a forecast.
- The selected direct-sowing guide uses workable soil rather than a numeric frost offset; enter a locally suitable date.
A planning reference, not a weather forecast.
Use the reviewed transplant calendar
The selected nursery chart supplies indoor and setting-out references. The direct-sowing guide instead says to wait for workable soil, so no numerical frost offset is invented for that action.
Choose the leaf size
The data includes a direct-seeded row, a transplant row and a closer baby-leaf option. Decide which stand you intend to keep before converting bed area into plant positions.
Separate picking from sowing
Repeated leaf harvest from established kale does not require repeated seed batches. This record does not supply a general succession interval; add a new batch only when it serves your plan.
Questions growers ask
Why is direct sowing shown without a calculated date?
The reviewed guide gives a soil-readiness condition rather than a numerical frost offset. That is a data-coverage state, not a claim that direct sowing is unsuitable.
Sources and conditions
These sources describe particular climates and growing methods. Use the conditions alongside the numbers.
Seed-Starting Date Calculator ↗
General nursery and setting-out reference, using a user-supplied spring frost-free date. Nursery duration is measured before setting out.
Growing collards and kale in home gardens ↗
Minnesota home gardens; separate final spacing for direct-seeded, transplanted and baby-leaf plants.