When To Plant Curly Kale

The best time to plant curly kale is in the late summer or early fall for a winter harvest, or in the early spring for a summer harvest.
 
Knowing when to plant curly kale really comes down to your local climate and how you want to manage the plant’s growth cycle.
 
If you’ve been wondering when to plant curly kale so it thrives, the answer is that this leafy green absolutely loves cool weather.
 
You can plant curly kale as a fall crop, letting it mature in the crisp air, or you can plant curly kale in spring once the soil is workable.
 
In this post, we’ll break down the best timing for planting curly kale in different seasons, how to stagger your plantings, and a few tricks to keep your harvest going strong.
 
Let’s dig into the details so you can get your curly kale in the ground at the perfect moment.
 

When to Plant Curly Kale: The Essential Timing Guide

The simple answer for when to plant curly kale is about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost in the fall.
 
For spring planting, you’ll want to plant curly kale about 3 to 5 weeks before your last expected frost date.
 
This timing works because curly kale is incredibly frost-tolerant, and a light frost actually makes the leaves sweeter.
 
If you plant curly kale when it’s too hot, the plants will bolt and turn bitter, so timing is everything.
 

1. Fall Planting for a Winter Harvest

When to plant curly kale for a fall harvest is the most popular choice for gardeners.
 
You should plant curly kale seeds directly in the garden about 8 weeks before the first fall frost.
 
If you’re using transplants, you can wait until about 6 weeks before that same frost date.
 
This gives your curly kale time to establish strong roots before the cold really sets in.
 
Once established, these plants can survive temperatures down to 20°F or even lower.
 
So if you’re asking when to plant curly kale to avoid summer heat, this is your golden window.
 

2. Spring Planting for a Summer Crop

To plant curly kale in the spring, you need to get it in the ground early enough to mature before the heat arrives.
 
Aim to plant curly kale seeds about 4 weeks before your last spring frost date.
 
This early start allows the seeds to germinate in cooler soil, which is ideal for curly kale.
 
Once the plants are in and the days lengthen, they’ll grow quickly in the mild spring weather.
 
However, once daytime temperatures consistently hit 80°F, your curly kale will start to stress.
 
That’s why knowing when to plant curly kale in spring is crucial; plant too late and you’ll get a poor harvest.
 

3. Staggered Planting for a Continuous Supply

If you really want a steady stream of leaves, don’t plant curly kale all at once.
 
Instead, when you decide when to plant curly kale, plan to sow a new batch every two to three weeks.
 
This is called succession planting, and it keeps you from getting a glut of curly kale all at once.
 
For fall, you can do a first planting 8 weeks before frost, then another 6 weeks before, and a final one 4 weeks before.
 
Each time you plant curly kale in this staggered way, you’ll extend your harvest window significantly.
 

4. Overwintering for Early Spring Greens

Another great option is to plant curly kale in late summer specifically to overwinter it.
 
If you plant curly kale in August, it will be established enough to survive the winter in many zones.
 
The plants will go dormant in the deep cold, but they’ll perk back up in early spring.
 
This means when you think about when to plant curly kale, the fall planting can double as a spring source.
 
The flavor of overwintered curly kale is often the sweetest you’ll ever taste.
 
So even if you miss the spring window, you can still plant curly kale in late summer for an early harvest next year.
 

How to Determine Your Specific Planting Dates

To nail down exactly when to plant curly kale in your area, you need to know your frost dates.
 
Your local extension office or a simple online search can tell you the first and last frost dates for your zone.
 
Once you have those, just count backward to plant curly kale at the right time.
 

Use a Soil Thermometer

Soil temperature is a better guide than air temperature for when to plant curly kale.
 
Curly kale seeds will germinate best when the soil is between 45°F and 75°F.
 
If the soil is warmer than that, the seeds may fail to sprout.
 
So before you plant curly kale, stick a thermometer in the ground a few inches deep.
 
This simple check ensures you’re not planting curly kale into a soil that’s too hot or too cold.
 

Consider Your Microclimate

Your garden’s microclimate can shift when to plant curly kale by a week or two.
 
If you have a south-facing bed, it will warm up faster in spring and stay warmer in fall.
 
Conversely, a shaded north side will stay cooler, which is perfect for a summer planting of curly kale.
 
Observe your garden for a season, and you’ll know exactly when to plant curly kale in each specific spot.
 

So, When to Plant Curly Kale?

The best time to plant curly kale is in the late summer or early fall for a winter harvest, or in the early spring for a summer harvest.
 
You can plant curly kale 6 to 8 weeks before the first fall frost for a delicious cold-season crop.
 
Or you can plant curly kale a few weeks before the last spring frost to get an early start on the season.
 
No matter which window you pick, just remember that curly kale thrives in cool temperatures, and a frost only improves the flavor.
 
So check your local frost dates, grab your seeds, and get ready to plant curly kale at the perfect time for your garden.
 
Happy gardening, and may your curly kale be as crisp and sweet as possible.