When to plant kale in Hartford

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Hartford's frost dates of Apr 14.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 3 – Mar 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 6 – Apr 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 31 – Jun 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 15 – Jul 29
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 15 – Oct 5
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Hartford's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Hartford'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 14
OCT 19

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Hartford?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 6–Apr 27) in Hartford, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Hartford?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 31–Jun 20) in Hartford, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Hartford?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 3–Mar 24) in Hartford, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Hartford?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 6–Apr 27) in Hartford, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Hartford?

Yes — Hartford supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 15–Jul 29), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Hartford?

Hartford has roughly 188 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 Hartford's frost dates.

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