When to plant kale in Winston-Salem

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Winston-Salem's frost dates of Mar 29.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 15 – Mar 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 2 – May 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 1 – Aug 15
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 2 – Oct 22
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Winston-Salem's 219-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Winston-Salem'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 29
NOV 5

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Winston-Salem?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Winston-Salem?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 2–May 22) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Winston-Salem?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 15–Mar 8) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Winston-Salem?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Winston-Salem?

Yes — Winston-Salem supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around early August (Aug 1–Aug 15), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has roughly 219 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 Winston-Salem's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.