When to plant kale in Portland

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Portland's frost dates of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 13 – May 4
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 7 – Jun 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 6 – Jul 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 6 – Sep 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Portland's 165-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Portland'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
MAY 1
OCT 10

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Portland?

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Portland?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 7–Jun 27) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Portland?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Portland?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Portland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Portland?

Yes — Portland supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early July (Jul 6–Jul 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Portland?

Portland has roughly 165 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 Portland's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.