When to plant kale in zone 5b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 5B

Growing SeasonZone 5b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Apr 10 · Sow Apr 24 · First harvest Jun 13 · Wrap by Sep 5

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsApr 10

Direct sowApr 24

First harvestJun 13

Last harvestSep 5

Fall succession sowJul 22

First fall frostSep 30

Why these dates work in zone 5b

Zone 5b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 30 — about 138 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 Jul 22 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does kale take to grow in zone 5b?

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 5b that means sowing around Apr 24 and first picking around Jun 13.

Will kale survive frost in zone 5b?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 5b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 30).

Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 5b?

Yes — in zone 5b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 22 for a second harvest before frost.

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