When to plant kale in Tokyo
Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Tokyo's frost dates of Mar 25.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 11 – Mar 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 4 – Mar 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 28 – May 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Tokyo's 255-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
FROST
MAR 25
DEC 5
Common questions
When can I sow kale outdoors in Tokyo?
Direct-sow around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
When will kale be ready to harvest in Tokyo?
Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 28–May 18) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Tokyo?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 11–Mar 4) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant kale outdoors in Tokyo?
Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Tokyo?
Tokyo has roughly 255 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 88/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.