When to plant kale in Vancouver

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Vancouver's frost dates of Mar 31.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 17 – Mar 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 4 – May 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 3 – Aug 17
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 4 – Oct 24
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Vancouver's 221-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Vancouver'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 31
NOV 7

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Vancouver?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Vancouver?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 4–May 24) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Vancouver?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 17–Mar 10) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Vancouver?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Vancouver, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Vancouver?

Yes — Vancouver supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early August (Aug 3–Aug 17), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Vancouver?

Vancouver has roughly 221 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 Vancouver's frost dates.

Confidence 85/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.