When to plant kale in zone 9a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Jan 24 · Sow Feb 7 · First harvest Mar 29 · Wrap by Jun 21

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsJan 24

Direct sowFeb 7

First harvestMar 29

Last harvestJun 21

Fall succession sowSep 21

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 21 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does kale take to grow in zone 9a?

Kale matures in about 50–70 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 7 and first picking around Mar 29.

Will kale survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — kale tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of kale in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 21 for a second harvest before frost.

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