When to plant kale in Orlando

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Orlando's frost dates of Jan 19.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 8 – Dec 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 29 – Jan 19
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 22 – Mar 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 16 – Sep 30
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 17 – Dec 7
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Orlando's 336-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Orlando'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 19
DEC 21

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Orlando?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 29–Jan 19) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Orlando?

Expect to harvest from around late February (Feb 22–Mar 14) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 72%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Orlando?

Start seeds indoors around early December (Dec 8–Dec 29) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Orlando?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 29–Jan 19) in Orlando, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Orlando?

Yes — Orlando supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid September (Sep 16–Sep 30), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Orlando?

Orlando has roughly 336 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 Orlando's frost dates.

Confidence 80/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.