When to plant kale in Riverside

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Riverside's frost dates of Feb 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 5 – Jan 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 26 – Feb 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 22 – Apr 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 1 – Sep 15
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 2 – Nov 22
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Riverside's 293-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Riverside'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 16
DEC 6

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Riverside?

Direct-sow around late January (Jan 26–Feb 16) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Riverside?

Expect to harvest from around late March (Mar 22–Apr 11) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 70%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Riverside?

Start seeds indoors around early January (Jan 5–Jan 26) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Riverside?

Transplant outdoors around late January (Jan 26–Feb 16) in Riverside, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Riverside?

Yes — Riverside supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early September (Sep 1–Sep 15), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Riverside?

Riverside has roughly 293 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 Riverside's frost dates.

Confidence 78/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.