When to plant kale in Kansas City

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Kansas 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 15 – Apr 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 9 – May 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 26 – Aug 9
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 26 – Oct 16
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Kansas City's 212-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Kansas 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
OCT 30

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Kansas City?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 15–Apr 5) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Kansas City?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 9–May 29) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Kansas City?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 20–Mar 13) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Kansas City?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 15–Apr 5) in Kansas City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Kansas City?

Yes — Kansas City supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 26–Aug 9), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Kansas City?

Kansas City has roughly 212 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 Kansas City's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.