Published regional calendar
Central North Carolina
Use the Central North Carolina calendar, with its separate establishment methods. This is not a calendar for every part of North Carolina.
- Published crop row
- Kale
The growing library
When to plant
kale.
A leafy brassica that can be picked before full size.
01 / Right crop, right place
Where the timing comes from
Choose the region that actually covers your garden. These source references are not a nationwide planting calendar.
Published regional calendar
Florida
Use the Florida calendar for your specific subregion. Planting months are not interchangeable across the state.
- Published crop row
- Kale
- Reviewed Florida rows
- North · Central · South
Outside these regions? Use your local Extension planting guidance. A nearby weather station describes climate; it does not establish whether or when to plant this crop.
02 / Know when the clock starts
How long until harvest?
These ranges start at different stages. Keep the method, region, and crop type attached to every number.
Central North Carolina
14–22days
From transplanting
Count from setting out transplants. The earlier nursery period is excluded.
Source crop: KaleRead source
Central North Carolina
40–50days
From direct sowing
Count from seed sown directly in the garden.
Source crop: KaleRead source
A transplant has a head start. Days counted from transplanting leave out time spent raising the seedling. Use a separate seed-starting reference if you plan to raise your own plants.
03 / Before you plant
The details that matter
Brassicaceae
Plan for kale
- Maturity is a regional reference; use the cultivar packet and the same establishment method.
- A nearby weather station does not establish crop suitability or a locally recommended planting date.
Maturity references vary with cultivar, harvest size, weather, and establishment method. Keep your seed packet or transplant label alongside the regional calendar.
Soil temperature
No verified value
in this guide.
We have not assigned a germination minimum for kale. Use crop-specific local guidance for your planting material and method.
Minnesota cold-tolerance context
Tolerance described around 20°F
Observed crop-level tolerance varies with acclimation, cultivar, duration of cold and protection; not a guaranteed survival threshold.
Read the cold-tolerance source A fall planning scenario
Work back from
a chosen harvest.
If local guidance supports a fall crop, choose a suitable harvest target and count back with the same starting method. The first 32°F freeze is not automatically the right target.
Open the fall plannerRegional maturity reference40–65 days
From direct sowing · Minnesota maturity; Maryland basis convention
Shorter-day allowance+ 14 days
Count back from your chosen harvest54–79 days
This is a planning calculation, not a validated planting window. Transplant-based calculations still exclude nursery time; suitability and the harvest target need local guidance.
Open evidence
Follow the sources.
Selected source facts reviewed . This is our review date, not the sources’ publication date.
How we use the data