When to plant kale in Melbourne
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Melbourne's frost dates of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 17 – Aug 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 7 – Aug 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 1 – Oct 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Melbourne'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
AUG 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Melbourne?
Direct-sow around early August (Aug 7–Aug 28) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around early October (Oct 1–Oct 21) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around mid July (Jul 17–Aug 7) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Melbourne?
Transplant outdoors around early August (Aug 7–Aug 28) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 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 Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.