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When to plant kale in Houston

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Houston's frost dates of Jan 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 15 – Jan 5
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 25 – Jan 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 18 – Mar 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 4 – Sep 18
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 5 – Nov 25
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Houston's 317-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Houston'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
JAN 26
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Houston?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Houston?

Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 10) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Houston?

Start seeds indoors around mid December (Dec 15–Jan 5) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Houston?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Houston?

Yes — Houston supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early September (Sep 4–Sep 18), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Houston?

Houston has roughly 317 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 Houston's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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