When to plant kale in Baton Rouge

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Baton Rouge's frost dates of Feb 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 6 – Jan 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 27 – Feb 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 23 – Apr 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 20 – Sep 3
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 21 – Nov 10
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Baton Rouge's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Baton Rouge'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
FEB 17
NOV 24

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Baton Rouge?

Direct-sow around late January (Jan 27–Feb 17) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Baton Rouge?

Expect to harvest from around late March (Mar 23–Apr 12) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Baton Rouge?

Start seeds indoors around early January (Jan 6–Jan 27) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Baton Rouge?

Transplant outdoors around late January (Jan 27–Feb 17) in Baton Rouge, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Baton Rouge?

Yes — Baton Rouge supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid August (Aug 20–Sep 3), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge has roughly 278 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 Baton Rouge's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.