When to plant kale in Virginia Beach

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Virginia Beach's frost dates of Mar 24.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 10 – Mar 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 3 – Mar 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 27 – May 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 13 – Aug 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 14 – Nov 3
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Virginia Beach's 237-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Virginia Beach'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 24
NOV 17

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Virginia Beach?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 3–Mar 24) in Virginia Beach, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Virginia Beach?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 27–May 17) in Virginia Beach, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Virginia Beach?

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 10–Mar 3) in Virginia Beach, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Virginia Beach?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 3–Mar 24) in Virginia Beach, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Virginia Beach?

Yes — Virginia Beach supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid August (Aug 13–Aug 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has roughly 237 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 Virginia Beach's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.