When to plant kale in Pittsburgh

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Pittsburgh's frost dates of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 21 – Jun 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 21 – Aug 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 21 – Oct 11
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Pittsburgh's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Pittsburgh'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 17
OCT 25

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Pittsburgh?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 21–Jun 10) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Pittsburgh?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Pittsburgh?

Yes — Pittsburgh supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 21–Aug 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has roughly 188 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 Pittsburgh's frost dates.

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