When to plant kale in Manchester

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Manchester's frost dates of Apr 24.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 13 – Apr 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 28 – Jun 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 17 – Jul 31
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 17 – Oct 7
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Manchester's 185-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
APR 24
OCT 21

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Manchester?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Manchester?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 28–Jun 17) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Manchester?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 13–Apr 3) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Manchester?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Manchester?

Yes — Manchester supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 17–Jul 31), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Manchester?

Manchester 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 Manchester's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.