When to plant kale in Vancouver

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Vancouver's frost dates of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 16 – Feb 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 6 – Feb 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 2 – Apr 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 21 – Sep 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 22 – Nov 11
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Vancouver's 274-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Vancouver'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
FEB 27
NOV 25

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Vancouver?

Direct-sow around early February (Feb 6–Feb 27) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Vancouver?

Expect to harvest from around early April (Apr 2–Apr 22) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Vancouver?

Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 16–Feb 6) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Vancouver?

Transplant outdoors around early February (Feb 6–Feb 27) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Vancouver?

Yes — Vancouver supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late August (Aug 21–Sep 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Vancouver?

Vancouver has roughly 274 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 Vancouver's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.