When to plant kale in Manchester
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Manchester's frost dates of Apr 25.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 14 – Apr 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 29 – Jun 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Manchester's 183-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Manchester'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 25
OCT 25
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Manchester?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Manchester?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 29–Jun 18) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Manchester?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 14–Apr 4) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Manchester?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Manchester?
Manchester has roughly 183 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 Manchester's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.