When to Plant Kale for Fall, Winter, and Spring Harvests

After more than 30 years of growing kale in different regions—from the cool coastal zones of California to the hot inland valleys—I’ve learned that timing is everything for a steady supply of tender, flavorful leaves. Whether you want to harvest in fall, winter, or spring, your planting date can make the difference between lush, sweet kale and tough, bitter leaves.

Table of Contents

Understanding Kale’s Growth Cycle

Kale is a cool-season crop that thrives in temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. While it can survive light freezes (and even improve in flavor after frost), heat causes it to grow quickly and bolt, reducing leaf quality.

Planting for a Fall Harvest

When to plant: 6–8 weeks before your first expected frost.
Why: This allows plants to mature as temperatures cool, which enhances sweetness.
My tip: In my inland valley garden, I sow seeds in late August under 30% shade cloth to avoid heat stress, then remove the cover as nights cool.
Varieties to try: Red Russian, Winterbor, Lacinato.

Planting for a Winter Harvest

When to plant: In zones 7 and warmer, plant in late September to October for steady winter harvests. In colder zones, plant in midsummer so plants are established before frost arrives.
Why: Mature plants can overwinter and produce slowly through cold months.
My tip: In my Zone 9 winter garden, I’ve picked leaves for holiday meals from plants that survived frost without protection.
Varieties to try: Winterbor (extremely cold-hardy), Dwarf Blue Curled, Redbor.

Planting for a Spring Harvest

When to plant: Sow seeds 4–6 weeks before your last expected frost date, or start indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting.
Why: Early planting ensures tender leaves before summer heat arrives.
My tip: In my mild spring garden, I start seeds in flats in late January and set them out in mid-February for April harvests.
Varieties to try: Premier, Siberian, Lacinato.

Extra Tips for Year-Round Kale

Succession planting: Sow small batches every 3–4 weeks for continuous harvests.
Mulching: Retains soil moisture and keeps roots cool.
Pest watch: Keep an eye out for cabbage worms early in the season.

Final Thought: By matching your planting schedule to the season and your local climate, you can enjoy kale’s rich flavor and nutrition almost all year long. I’ve harvested kale in every season by simply adjusting my sowing dates and variety choices—you can do the same.