When to plant kale in Baltimore

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Baltimore's frost dates of Mar 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 7 – Feb 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 28 – Mar 21
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 24 – May 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 23 – Sep 6
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 24 – Nov 13
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Baltimore's 249-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Baltimore'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 21
NOV 27

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Baltimore?

Direct-sow around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Baltimore?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 24–May 14) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Baltimore?

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 7–Feb 28) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Baltimore?

Transplant outdoors around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Baltimore?

Yes — Baltimore supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late August (Aug 23–Sep 6), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Baltimore?

Baltimore has roughly 249 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 Baltimore's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.