When to plant kale in Modesto

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Modesto's frost dates of Jan 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 16 – Jan 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 26 – Jan 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 19 – Mar 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 29 – Sep 12
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 30 – Nov 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Modesto's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Modesto'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 27
DEC 3

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Modesto?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Modesto?

Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 19–Mar 11) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Modesto?

Start seeds indoors around mid December (Dec 16–Jan 6) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Modesto?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Modesto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Modesto?

Yes — Modesto supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late August (Aug 29–Sep 12), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Modesto?

Modesto has roughly 310 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 Modesto's frost dates.

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