When to plant kale in Worcester

Kale is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Worcester's frost dates of Apr 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 7 – Apr 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 1 – Jun 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 18 – Aug 1
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 18 – Oct 8
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
55 – 75 d
Worcester's 180-day season leaves this much room.
Kale on Worcester'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 21
OCT 22

Common questions

When can I sow kale outdoors in Worcester?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Worcester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will kale be ready to harvest in Worcester?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 1–Jun 21) in Worcester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Worcester?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Worcester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

When can I transplant kale outdoors in Worcester?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Worcester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant kale in autumn in Worcester?

Yes — Worcester supports a second, autumn sowing of kale around mid July (Jul 18–Aug 1), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Worcester?

Worcester has roughly 180 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 Worcester's frost dates.

Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.