When to plant kale in London
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off London's frost dates of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 27 – Mar 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 14 – Jun 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
London's 209-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on London'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 10
NOV 5
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in London?
Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in London?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 14–Jun 3) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in London?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 27–Mar 20) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in London?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in London?
London has roughly 209 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 London's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.