When to plant kale in Salt Lake City

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Salt Lake City's frost dates of Apr 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 2 – Mar 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 23 – Apr 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 17 – Jun 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 22 – Aug 5
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 22 – Oct 12
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Salt Lake City's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Salt Lake City'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 13
OCT 26

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Salt Lake City?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Salt Lake City?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 17–Jun 6) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Salt Lake City?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 2–Mar 23) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Salt Lake City?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Salt Lake City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Salt Lake City?

Yes — Salt Lake City supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around late July (Jul 22–Aug 5), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has roughly 194 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 Salt Lake City's frost dates.

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