When to plant kale in Cincinnati

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Cincinnati's frost dates of Apr 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 2 – Mar 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 23 – Apr 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 17 – Jun 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 18 – Aug 1
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 18 – Oct 8
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Cincinnati's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Cincinnati'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
APR 13
OCT 22

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Cincinnati?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Cincinnati?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 17–Jun 6) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Cincinnati?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 2–Mar 23) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Cincinnati?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Cincinnati?

Yes — Cincinnati supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 18–Aug 1), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has roughly 194 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 Cincinnati's frost dates.

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