When to plant kale in Fargo

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Fargo's frost dates of May 11.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 30 – Apr 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 21 – May 12
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 15 – Jul 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 28 – Jul 12
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 29 – Sep 18
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Fargo's 144-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Fargo'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
MAY 11
OCT 2

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Fargo?

Direct-sow around late April (Apr 21–May 12) in Fargo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Fargo?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 15–Jul 5) in Fargo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Fargo?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Fargo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Fargo?

Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 21–May 12) in Fargo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Fargo?

Yes — Fargo supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late June (Jun 28–Jul 12), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Fargo?

Fargo has roughly 144 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 Fargo's frost dates.

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