When to plant kale in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Feb 18 · Sow Mar 4 · First harvest Apr 23 · Wrap by Jul 16

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 18

Direct sowMar 4

First harvestApr 23

Last harvestJul 16

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does kale take to grow in zone 8a?

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 4 and first picking around Apr 23.

Will kale survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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