When to plant kale in Bristol
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Bristol's frost dates of Apr 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 28 – Apr 18
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 22 – Jun 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Bristol's 197-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Bristol'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 18
NOV 1
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Bristol?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Bristol?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 22–Jun 11) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Bristol?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Bristol?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Bristol?
Bristol has roughly 197 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 Bristol's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.