When to plant kale in Wellington

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Wellington's frost dates of Sep 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Aug 8 – Aug 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 29 – Sep 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 23 – Nov 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Feb 26 – Mar 12
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Apr 29 – May 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Wellington's 256-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Wellington'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
SEP 19
JUN 2

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Wellington?

Direct-sow around late August (Aug 29–Sep 19) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 50%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Wellington?

Expect to harvest from around late October (Oct 23–Nov 12) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 45%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Wellington?

Start seeds indoors around early August (Aug 8–Aug 29) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 48%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Wellington?

Transplant outdoors around late August (Aug 29–Sep 19) in Wellington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 50%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Wellington?

Yes — Wellington supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late February (Feb 26–Mar 12), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Wellington?

Wellington has roughly 256 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 Wellington's frost dates.

Confidence 50/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.