When to plant kale in zone 7a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Mar 11 · Sow Mar 25 · First harvest May 14 · Wrap by Aug 6

Last spring frostApr 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 11

Direct sowMar 25

First harvestMay 14

Last harvestAug 6

Fall succession sowAug 16

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — about 193 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 16 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does kale take to grow in zone 7a?

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 7a that means sowing around Mar 25 and first picking around May 14.

Will kale survive frost in zone 7a?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 7a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 7a?

Yes — in zone 7a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 16 for a second harvest before frost.

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