When to plant kale in zone 10a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 10A

Growing SeasonZone 10a

Last frost ~Jan 31First frost ~Dec 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Dec 27 · Sow Jan 10 · First harvest Mar 1 · Wrap by May 24

Last spring frostJan 31

Start seeds indoorsDec 27

Direct sowJan 10

First harvestMar 1

Last harvestMay 24

Fall succession sowOct 6

First fall frostDec 15

Why these dates work in zone 10a

Zone 10a's last spring frost averages Jan 31 and first fall frost Dec 15 — about 318 frost-free days. Kale tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 5 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Oct 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does kale take to grow in zone 10a?

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 10a that means sowing around Jan 10 and first picking around Mar 1.

Will kale survive frost in zone 10a?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 10a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Jan 31) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 15).

Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 10a?

Yes — in zone 10a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 6 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full kale growing guide →