Zone 5a covers 27 days of last-frost dates. We measured Sioux City, IA at Apr 20 and Bozeman, MT at May 17. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 5a
Zone 5a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 20 — about 173 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 Aug 11 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does kale take to grow in zone 5a?
Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 5a that means sowing around Apr 9 and first picking around May 29.
Will kale survive frost in zone 5a?
Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 5a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 20).
Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 5a?
Yes — in zone 5a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 11 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full kale growing guide →