When to Plant Fall Kale: Dates by Zone and Harvest Tips
Plant fall kale 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Sow in August in zones 3 to 6, September in zones 7 to 8. Leaves sweeten after a light freeze.
Published by ThriveThyme
kale fall planting harvest
When to Plant Fall Kale
Plant fall kale 6 to 8 weeks before your average first frost. In zones 3 to 5 that is late July into August. In zone 6, August. In zone 7, late August to mid September. In zone 8, September. Kale handles frost and often tastes better after a cold night. Heat above the mid 80s F makes seedlings struggle, so use shade if you sow in August.
See the kale plant page for spacing (usually 12 to 18 inches) and zone windows.
Dates by Zone
- Zones 1 to 3: Transplant in August. Direct seed in late July if you can keep soil moist.
- Zones 4 to 5: Sow or transplant in August.
- Zone 6: Sow from mid to late August.
- Zone 7: Sow late August through mid September.
- Zone 8: Sow in September.
- Zones 9 to 10: Sow from October into winter.
How to Harvest Kale
Start picking outer leaves when they are about the size of your hand, often 30 days after transplant. Leave the growing point. Plants can feed you until a hard freeze, and in zone 7 and warmer they often hold through winter with row cover. Yellow lower leaves are old; strip them.
Next Steps
Sow a short row this week if you are in zone 6 or colder. In zone 7, get transplants in the ground now and seed in two weeks. Pair with fall lettuce and fall spinach.