When to plant kale in Charleston

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Charleston's frost dates of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 28 – Jan 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 20 – Feb 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 16 – Apr 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 10 – Sep 24
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 11 – Dec 1
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Charleston's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Charleston'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 8
DEC 15

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Charleston?

Direct-sow around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Charleston?

Expect to harvest from around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 5) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Charleston?

Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 28–Jan 18) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Charleston?

Transplant outdoors around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Charleston?

Yes — Charleston supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early September (Sep 10–Sep 24), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Charleston?

Charleston has roughly 310 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 Charleston's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.