When to plant kale in Billings

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Billings's frost dates of May 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 17 – May 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 11 – Jul 1
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 30 – Jul 14
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 31 – Sep 20
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Billings's 150-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Billings'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
MAY 8
OCT 4

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Billings?

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 17–May 8) in Billings, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 90%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Billings?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 11–Jul 1) in Billings, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Billings?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Billings, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Billings?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 17–May 8) in Billings, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 90%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Billings?

Yes — Billings supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late June (Jun 30–Jul 14), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Billings?

Billings has roughly 150 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 Billings's frost dates.

Confidence 90/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.