When To Plant Kale In Maryland

If you’re wondering when to plant kale in Maryland, you’re in the right place. Getting the timing right is the key to a long and productive harvest of this nutritious green.

Maryland’s climate offers two perfect windows for planting kale. You can grow it in the cool seasons of spring and fall. This guide gives you the simple, practical steps to succeed.

For most Maryland gardeners, the optimal planting times are early spring and late summer. Kale thrives in cool weather and can even survive frost, which sweetens its leaves.

Planting at the wrong time, like in the peak summer heat, leads to tough, bitter leaves and premature bolting (flowering).

Spring Planting Schedule

For a spring harvest, you need to get kale in the ground early. The goal is to mature the plants before the intense summer heat arrives.

Direct Seed Outdoors: Sow seeds directly into your garden soil 4-6 weeks before your last average spring frost date. In much of Maryland, this is typically between late March and mid-April.
Transplant Seedlings: You can start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Then, transplant the sturdy seedlings outdoors 2-4 weeks before that last frost date. This gives you a head start.

Always harden off indoor-started seedlings for a week before planting them outside. This prevents shock from wind and sun.

Fall Planting Schedule (The Best Time)

Fall is often considered the prime time for kale in Maryland. Cooler autumn temperatures produce the sweetest, most tender leaves.

Direct Seed for Fall: Sow seeds directly in the garden about 6-8 weeks before your first average fall frost. For most areas, this means planting between early August and early September.
Transplant for Fall: Start seeds indoors in mid-summer (around July) and transplant them into the garden in late August or early September. This avoids struggling with germination in hot, dry soil.

Fall-planted kale often survives winter with minimal protection. You can harvest leaves straight through until a hard freeze, and sometimes even into the next spring.

Understanding Maryland’s Frost Dates

Your local frost dates are your best guide. Maryland has three main gardening zones: the cooler western region, the central Piedmont, and the warmer coastal area.

Last Spring Frost (Average): Ranges from early April (Western MD) to late March (Coastal).
First Fall Frost (Average): Ranges from mid-October (Western MD) to early November (Coastal).

Check with your local county extension service for the most precise dates in your town. This small step makes a huge difference.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve got your timing down, follow these simple steps for a great crop.

1. Choosing a Location & Soil Prep

Kale needs at least 6 hours of sun, but it appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter areas. The soil should be fertile and well-draining.

Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure into the top 6 inches of soil.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple soil test can confirm this.

2. How to Plant Kale Seeds

Create a shallow furrow about ½ inch deep.
Sow seeds thinly, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to stand 12-18 inches apart. You can eat the thinned seedlings as microgreens!

3. How to Transplant Seedlings

Dig a hole slightly larger than the seedling’s root ball.
Place the plant in the hole, keeping it at the same depth it was growing in its container.
Fill in around the roots with soil and firm it gently.
Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Essential Care Tips for Maryland Kale

Kale is low-maintenance, but a little care ensures a bountiful harvest.

Watering and Mulching

Kale likes consistent moisture. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, from rainfall or watering.

Water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (straw, shredded leaves) around plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil cool.

Fertilizing for Growth

If your soil is prepared with compost, kale may not need much extra. For a boost, you can side-dress plants with a balanced organic fertilizer or more compost about a month after transplanting.

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this can promote soft growth vulnerable to frost damage.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Common pests in Maryland include cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles.

Check the undersides of leaves regularly.
Use floating row covers to physically block pests from the start.
For caterpillars, handpick them or use an organic spray containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids.

Good spacing and crop rotation from year to year helps prevent fungal diseases.

Harvesting and Enjoying Your Kale

You can begin harvesting young leaves when the plant is about 8-10 inches tall.

Harvest outer leaves: Always pick the older, outer leaves first. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaf stem near the main stalk.
Never cut the central growing point: The plant will continue to produce new leaves from the center for months.

After a frost, kale leaves taste even sweeter. In many Maryland winters, kale will survive under a layer of snow with some simple protection like a cold frame.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you plant kale in the summer in Maryland?

It’s not recommended. Summer heat causes kale to become bitter and bolt quickly. For a summer harvest, you must plant it very early in spring so it matures before the worst heat.

What is the latest you can plant kale in Maryland?

For a fall crop, aim to get seeds or transplants in the ground by early to mid-September. This gives plants enough time to establish before frost. Using transplants can extend this deadline slightly.

Does kale come back every year in MD?

Kale is technically a biennial, but we grow it as an annual. While it might survive a mild Maryland winter and send up new leaves in early spring, it will soon bolt as temperatures warm. It’s best to replant each season.

What are the best kale varieties for Maryland?

Many types do well! ‘Lacinato’ (Dinosaur kale) is very hardy. ‘Winterbor’ is a curly kale that excels in cold. ‘Red Russian’ is tender and sweet, and ‘Vates’ is a reliable dwarf curly kale.

Final Tips for Success

Succession planting is a great strategy. Instead of planting all your seeds at once, sow a small batch every two to three weeks in early spring and again in late summer. This staggers your harvest so you don’t have a glut all at once.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties to find your favorite. Kale is one of the most rewarding crops for a Maryland gardener, providing fresh greens when other plants have faded. With the right timing and these simple steps, you’ll be picking your own homegrown kale in no time.