When to plant kale in Knoxville

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Knoxville's frost dates of Apr 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 25 – Mar 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 12 – Jun 1
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 24 – Aug 7
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 24 – Oct 14
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Knoxville's 201-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Knoxville'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 8
OCT 28

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Knoxville?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Knoxville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Knoxville?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 12–Jun 1) in Knoxville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Knoxville?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 25–Mar 18) in Knoxville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Knoxville?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Knoxville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Knoxville?

Yes — Knoxville supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 24–Aug 7), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Knoxville?

Knoxville has roughly 201 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 Knoxville's frost dates.

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