When to plant kale in Columbia

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Columbia's frost dates of Mar 11.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 28 – Feb 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 18 – Mar 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 14 – May 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 13 – Aug 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 14 – Nov 3
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Columbia's 248-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Columbia'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 11
NOV 17

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Columbia?

Direct-sow around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in Columbia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Columbia?

Expect to harvest from around mid April (Apr 14–May 4) in Columbia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Columbia?

Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 28–Feb 18) in Columbia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Columbia?

Transplant outdoors around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in Columbia, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Columbia?

Yes — Columbia supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid August (Aug 13–Aug 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Columbia?

Columbia 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 Columbia's frost dates.

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