When to plant kale in Chesapeake

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Chesapeake's frost dates of Mar 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 4 – Feb 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 25 – Mar 18
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 21 – May 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 14 – Aug 28
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 15 – Nov 4
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Chesapeake's 248-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Chesapeake'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 18
NOV 18

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Chesapeake?

Direct-sow around late February (Feb 25–Mar 18) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Chesapeake?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 21–May 11) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Chesapeake?

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 4–Feb 25) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Chesapeake?

Transplant outdoors around late February (Feb 25–Mar 18) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Chesapeake?

Yes — Chesapeake supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid August (Aug 14–Aug 28), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has roughly 248 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 Chesapeake's frost dates.

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