When to plant kale in Bristol

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Bristol's frost dates of Apr 12.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 1 – Mar 22
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 22 – Apr 12
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 16 – Jun 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 7 – Aug 21
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 8 – Oct 28
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Bristol's 204-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
APR 12
NOV 11

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Bristol?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Bristol?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 16–Jun 5) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Bristol?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 1–Mar 22) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Bristol?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Bristol?

Yes — Bristol supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early August (Aug 7–Aug 21), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Bristol?

Bristol has roughly 204 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 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.