When to plant kale in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Feb 8 · Sow Feb 22 · First harvest Apr 13 · Wrap by Jul 6

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 8

Direct sowFeb 22

First harvestApr 13

Last harvestJul 6

Fall succession sowSep 6

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Feb 22 and first picking around Apr 13.

Will kale survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 6 for a second harvest before frost.

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