When to plant kale in Canberra
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Canberra's frost dates of Oct 20.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 8 – Sep 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Sep 29 – Oct 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 23 – Dec 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Canberra's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Canberra's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
OCT 20
APR 20
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Canberra?
Direct-sow around late September (Sep 29–Oct 20) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Canberra?
Expect to harvest from around late November (Nov 23–Dec 13) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Canberra?
Start seeds indoors around early September (Sep 8–Sep 29) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Canberra?
Transplant outdoors around late September (Sep 29–Oct 20) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Canberra?
Canberra has roughly 182 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow kale to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow kale as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Canberra's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.