When to plant kale in Fort Wayne

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Fort Wayne's frost dates of Apr 25.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 14 – Apr 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 29 – Jun 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 13 – Jul 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 13 – Oct 3
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Fort Wayne's 172-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Fort Wayne'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 25
OCT 17

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Fort Wayne?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Fort Wayne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Fort Wayne?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 29–Jun 18) in Fort Wayne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Fort Wayne?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 14–Apr 4) in Fort Wayne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Fort Wayne?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Fort Wayne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Fort Wayne?

Yes — Fort Wayne supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 13–Jul 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has roughly 172 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 Fort Wayne's frost dates.

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