When to plant kale in Raleigh

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Raleigh's frost dates of Mar 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 12 – Mar 5
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 5 – Mar 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 29 – May 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 5 – Aug 19
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 6 – Oct 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Raleigh's 227-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Raleigh'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
MAR 26
NOV 9

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Raleigh?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Raleigh?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 29–May 19) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Raleigh?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 12–Mar 5) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Raleigh?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Raleigh?

Yes — Raleigh supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early August (Aug 5–Aug 19), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Raleigh?

Raleigh has roughly 227 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 Raleigh's frost dates.

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