When to plant kale in Jersey City

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Jersey City's frost dates of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 20 – Mar 13
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 14 – Jun 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 7 – Aug 21
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 8 – Oct 28
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Jersey City's 223-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Jersey City'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 3
NOV 11

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Jersey City?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in Jersey City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Jersey City?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 14–Jun 3) in Jersey City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Jersey City?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 20–Mar 13) in Jersey City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Jersey City?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in Jersey City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Jersey City?

Yes — Jersey City supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early August (Aug 7–Aug 21), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Jersey City?

Jersey City has roughly 223 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 Jersey City's frost dates.

Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.