When to plant kale in Montreal

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Montreal's frost dates of Apr 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 20 – May 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 14 – Jul 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 24 – Aug 7
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 24 – Oct 14
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Montreal's 192-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Montreal'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
APR 19
OCT 28

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Montreal?

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 20–May 11) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Montreal?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 14–Jul 4) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Montreal?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Montreal?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 20–May 11) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Montreal?

Yes — Montreal supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 24–Aug 7), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Montreal?

Montreal has roughly 192 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 Montreal's frost dates.

Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.