When to plant kale in Cologne
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Cologne's frost dates of Apr 20.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 9 – Mar 30
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 30 – Apr 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 24 – Jun 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Cologne's 185-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Cologne'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
APR 20
OCT 22
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Cologne?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Cologne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Cologne?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 24–Jun 13) in Cologne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Cologne?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 9–Mar 30) in Cologne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Cologne?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Cologne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Cologne?
Cologne has roughly 185 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 Cologne's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.