When to plant kale in New Orleans

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New Orleans's frost dates of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 28 – Jan 18
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 20 – Feb 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 16 – Apr 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 4 – Sep 18
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 5 – Nov 25
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on New Orleans'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
FEB 8
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in New Orleans?

Direct-sow around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in New Orleans?

Expect to harvest from around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 5) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in New Orleans?

Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 28–Jan 18) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in New Orleans?

Transplant outdoors around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in New Orleans?

Yes — New Orleans supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early September (Sep 4–Sep 18), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New Orleans?

New Orleans has roughly 304 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 Orleans's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.