When to plant kale in Detroit

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Detroit's frost dates of Apr 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4 – Mar 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 5 – Apr 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 30 – Jun 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 27 – Aug 10
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 27 – Oct 17
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Detroit's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Detroit'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 15
OCT 31

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Detroit?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Detroit?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 30–Jun 19) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Detroit?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Detroit?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Detroit?

Yes — Detroit supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 27–Aug 10), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Detroit?

Detroit 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 Detroit's frost dates.

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