When to plant kale in Tokyo

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Tokyo's frost dates of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 14 – Mar 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 1 – May 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 6 – Sep 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 7 – Nov 27
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Tokyo's 258-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Tokyo'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
MAR 28
DEC 11

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Tokyo?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 45%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Tokyo?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 1–May 21) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 40%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Tokyo?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 43%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Tokyo?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 45%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Tokyo?

Yes — Tokyo supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early September (Sep 6–Sep 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Tokyo?

Tokyo has roughly 258 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 Tokyo's frost dates.

Confidence 45/100 · Curated · based on NASA POWER (modeled) 1991–2020 · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.