When to plant kale in Huntsville

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Huntsville's frost dates of Mar 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 13 – Mar 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 30 – May 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 31 – Aug 14
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 1 – Oct 21
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Huntsville's 228-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Huntsville'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
MAR 27
NOV 4

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Huntsville?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Huntsville?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 30–May 20) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Huntsville?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 13–Mar 6) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Huntsville?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Huntsville?

Yes — Huntsville supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 31–Aug 14), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Huntsville?

Huntsville has roughly 228 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 Huntsville's frost dates.

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