When to plant kale in Columbus

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Columbus's frost dates of Mar 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 23 – Feb 13
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 13 – Mar 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 9 – Apr 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 18 – Sep 1
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 19 – Nov 8
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Columbus's 262-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Columbus'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 6
NOV 22

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Columbus?

Direct-sow around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 6) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Columbus?

Expect to harvest from around early April (Apr 9–Apr 29) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Columbus?

Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 23–Feb 13) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Columbus?

Transplant outdoors around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 6) in Columbus, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Columbus?

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

How long is the growing season in Columbus?

Columbus has roughly 262 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 Columbus's frost dates.

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