When to plant kale in New Haven

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New Haven's frost dates of Apr 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 5 – Apr 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 30 – Jun 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 15 – Jul 29
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 15 – Oct 5
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
New Haven's 184-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on New Haven'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 19
OCT 19

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in New Haven?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in New Haven?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 30–Jun 19) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in New Haven?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in New Haven?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in New Haven, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in New Haven?

Yes — New Haven supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 15–Jul 29), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New Haven?

New Haven has roughly 184 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 New Haven's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.