When to plant kale in Vancouver
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Vancouver's frost dates of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 14 – Mar 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 1 – May 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Vancouver's 222-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
FROST
FROST
MAR 28
NOV 5
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Vancouver?
Direct-sow around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Vancouver?
Expect to harvest from around early May (May 1–May 21) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Vancouver?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Vancouver?
Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Vancouver?
Vancouver has roughly 222 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 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.