When to plant kale in zone 10b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 10B

Growing SeasonZone 10b

Last frost ~Jan 15First frost ~Dec 31Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPRMAY

Start indoors Dec 11 · Sow Dec 25 · First harvest Feb 13 · Wrap by May 8

Last spring frostJan 15

Start seeds indoorsDec 11

Direct sowDec 25

First harvestFeb 13

Last harvestMay 8

Fall succession sowOct 22

First fall frostDec 31

Why these dates work in zone 10b

Zone 10b's last spring frost averages Jan 15 and first fall frost Dec 31 — about 350 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 22 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 10b that means sowing around Dec 25 and first picking around Feb 13.

Will kale survive frost in zone 10b?

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

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

Yes — in zone 10b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 22 for a second harvest before frost.

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