When To Plant Kale In Georgia

If you’re wondering when to plant kale in Georgia, you’re in the right place. Getting the timing right is the first step to a bountiful, long-lasting harvest of this nutritious green. Georgia’s climate, with its hot summers and mild winters, offers two excellent planting windows for kale, making it a fantastic crop for nearly year-round enjoyment.

This guide will walk you through the optimal planting times for both spring and fall, along with practical tips to ensure your kale thrives. Let’s get your garden planned.

Kale is a cool-season crop, meaning it grows best in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. In Georgia, the key is to avoid the intense summer heat, which can make kale bitter and cause it to bolt (flower and go to seed). The two primary planting seasons are late winter/early spring and late summer/fall.

Spring Planting in Georgia

For a spring harvest, you’ll want to get kale in the ground early. The goal is to allow it to mature before the summer heat arrives.

Optimal Time: Plant 4-6 weeks before your last average spring frost date. For most of Georgia, this falls between late January and early March.
North GA: Aim for late February to mid-March.
Central GA: Late January through February is ideal.
South GA: You can start as early as January.

Spring-planted kale will provide leaves for harvest through late spring or early summer. Using a shade cloth as temperatures rise can help extend the harvest a bit longer.

Fall Planting (The Best Season)

Fall is often considered the premier time for growing kale in Georgia. The cooling temperatures sweeten the leaves, and plants can often survive the winter to produce again in early spring.

Optimal Time: Plant 6-8 weeks before your first average fall frost date. For Georgia, this is typically from late August through October.
North GA: Plant from mid-August to mid-September.
Central GA: Aim for September to early October.
South GA: October is your best bet.

Fall-planted kale grows robustly in the cool autumn weather and, with some protection, can yield leaves all winter long.

Understanding Your Georgia Garden Zone

Georgia spans USDA Hardiness Zones 6b through 9a. Knowing your specific zone helps fine-tune your planting schedule.

Zones 6b-7a (North GA Mountains): Frost comes earlier in fall and later in spring. Stick to the later end of the fall planting range and the earlier end for spring.
Zones 7b-8a (Piedmont & Atlanta Metro): This is the sweet spot for kale, with a long, productive fall season and a decent spring window.
Zones 8b-9a (Coastal & Southern GA): Summers are long and hot. Focus heavily on fall planting and provide ample shade for any spring attempts.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve chosen your planting time, follow these steps for success.

1. Choosing a Variety

Select a kale variety suited for Georgia’s climate. Some reliable choices include:

Lacinato (Dinosaur Kale): Hardy and heat-tolerant.
Winterbor: Extremely cold-tolerant, perfect for fall.
Red Russian: Tender and sweet, good for both seasons.
Vates Blue Curled: A dependable, all-around variety.

2. Site Selection & Soil Prep

Kale needs at least 6 hours of sun, but in Georgia, afternoon shade in the spring is beneficial. The soil should be fertile and well-draining.

Work the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
Mix in 2-4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and provides nutrients.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple soil test can confirm this.

3. Planting Seeds or Transplants

You can start from seeds sown directly in the garden or begin with transplants.

Direct Seeding: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Later, thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart.
Using Transplants: Starting seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before your planting date gives you a head start. Set transplants at the same 12-18 inch spacing.

Water the bed thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the seeds or roots.

4. Watering and Mulching

Consistent moisture is crucial, especially for germination and during dry spells.

Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
Use a soaker hose or water at the base to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (straw, pine straw, or shredded leaves) to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil cool.

Caring for Your Kale Plants

Ongoing care is simple but important for a continuous harvest.

Fertilizing

Kale is a moderate feeder. If your soil was prepared with compost, little extra may be needed. For an extra boost, side-dress plants with a balanced organic fertilizer or more compost about 4-6 weeks after planting.

Pest and Disease Management

Common pests in Georgia include cabbage loopers, aphids, and flea beetles.

Check the undersides of leaves regularly.
Remove small pest infestations by hand or with a strong spray of water.
Use floating row covers as a barrier right after planting.
For diseases like downy mildew, ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Rotating where you plant kale each year helps prevent soil-borne problems from building up.

Harvesting and Storing Your Kale

You can begin harvesting when leaves are about the size of your hand.

Harvest from the bottom up, taking the older, outer leaves first.
Always leave the central growing bud intact so the plant can keep producing.
For a full harvest, cut the entire plant about 2 inches above the soil. It may resprout with smaller leaves, especially in fall plantings.

Fresh kale stores well in the refrigerator for about a week. For longer storage, it freezes beautifully after a quick blanching.

Overwintering Kale in Georgia

One of the joys of fall planting is the potential for winter harvest. In all but the coldest mountain areas, kale will survive Georgia winters.

As hard frosts approach, ensure plants are well-mulched.
A simple cold frame or layer of row cover can provide extra protection on freezing nights.
Growth slows in winter, but you can still harvest leaves. Their flavor often becomes sweeter after a frost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you plant kale in the summer in Georgia?

It is not recommended. Summer heat stresses kale, leading to poor flavor and bolting. If you try, choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide consistent shade and water.

What month do you plant kale in Georgia?

For spring, plant in February or March. For fall, plant in September or October. Adjust slightly based on your specific location within the state.

How late can you plant kale in Georgia?

For a fall crop, you can plant up until about 6 weeks before the first hard frost. In central Georgia, this can be as late as early October for some varieties. Later plantings will yield smaller plants but can still provide a harvest.

Does kale come back every year in Georgia?

Kale is technically a biennial, but we grow it as an annual. However, fall-planted kale often survives the winter and will produce leaves very early in spring before eventually bolting as temperatures warm. It does not reliably return year after year like a perennial would.

Why is my kale bolting?

Bolting is triggered by rising temperatures and longer days. In Georgia, this is most common in late spring. Planting at the correct time is the best prevention. Once a plant bolts, the leaves turn bitter. It’s best to remove the plant and compost it.

By following these timing guidelines and care tips, you can enjoy homegrown kale from your Georgia garden for much of the year. The key is to work with the seasons, using the cool periods to your advantage. With a little planning, you’ll have a steady supply of this healthy green for salads, soups, and sautés straight from your backyard.