When To Plant Kale In The Fall

Knowing when to plant kale in the fall is the key to a long and productive harvest. Get the timing right, and you’ll enjoy sweet, tender leaves long after other crops have faded.

Fall is actually the perfect season for growing kale. The cool temperatures make kale sweeter by converting starches into sugars. This process, called cold-sweetening, is why fall-harvested kale often tastes better than spring-planted kale. You can avoid the summer heat that makes it bitter and bolt. Instead, you’ll get robust plants that can handle frost with ease.

Your planting date depends on one main thing: your first fall frost. Kale is a cold-hardy champion, but it needs time to establish itself before winter truly sets in.

Calculate Your Fall Planting Date

To find your best planting time, you need two pieces of information.

Your average first fall frost date. You can find this from your local university extension service or a quick online search.
Count backwards 6 to 8 weeks from that frost date. This is your target planting window.

For example, if your first frost is typically around October 20th, aim to plant kale seeds or transplants between late August and early September. This gives seedlings enough time to grow strong roots and leaves before growth slows in the cold.

Adjusting for Your Growing Zone

Your USDA Hardiness Zone offers more specific guidance.

Zones 3-5: Plant in mid-to-late summer. Your window is shorter, so starting seeds indoors in July might be necessary for a good start.
Zones 6-7: This is prime kale territory. Plant directly in the garden from early August to early September.
Zones 8-9: You can plant later, often from September into October. Kale will grow through a mild winter.
Zones 10+: You can grow kale through the winter, planting in late fall when temperatures finally drop.

Direct Seed vs. Transplants

You have two reliable options for starting your fall kale.

Direct Seeding: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep directly in your garden bed. This is simple and avoids transplant shock. Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart once they have a few leaves.
Using Transplants: Start seeds indoors about 4-6 weeks before your target outdoor planting date. Or, purchase healthy starts from a nursery. This gives you a head start, which is especially helpful in regions with very short falls.

Choosing the Best Kale Varieties for Fall

While most kale grows well in fall, some varieties really excel. Look for types known for cold tolerance and sweet flavor.

Lacinato (Dinosaur Kale): Its dark blue-green leaves become incredibly sweet after frost. It’s a must-grow.
Winterbor: A curly kale that is extremely cold-hardy and productive.
Red Russian: Tender, flat leaves with a purple stem. It matures quickly and handles cold well.
Siberian Kale: As the name suggests, this one is tough. It survives harsh conditions and still tastes great.

Preparing Your Garden Bed

Kale isn’t too fussy, but good soil prep sets the stage for success. Follow these steps.

Clear the Area: Remove any previous crop debris or weeds.
Amend the Soil: Work in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. Kale likes fertile, well-draining soil.
Check the pH: Kale prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A simple test kit can tell you if you need to adjust it.
Add Balanced Fertilizer: Mix in a balanced organic fertilizer according to package directions to give seedlings a nutrient boost.

Planting and Spacing Your Kale

Proper spacing ensures good air flow and healthy plants.

Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows that are 18 to 24 inches apart.
If you’re direct seeding, sow seeds every few inches and thin later to the strongest seedlings.
Plant at the same depth the seedling was growing in its pot. Water thouroughly right after planting.

Caring for Your Fall Kale Crop

Once planted, your kale needs consistent care to thrive.

Watering and Mulching

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially while seeds are germinating and seedlings are young. Kale has shallow roots that dry out fast. A layer of straw or shredded leaves mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature as it gets colder.

Feeding for Growth

About a month after planting, give your kale a mid-season feed. Use a liquid fertilizer like fish emulsion or compost tea. This encourages lots of leaf production before winter. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds too late in the season, as they can make leaves more tender and prone to frost damage.

Pest and Disease Watch

Fall planting often avoids the worst pest pressures, but stay vigilant.

Cabbage Worms: Handpick green caterpillars. Use floating row covers as a barrier.
Aphids: A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them.
Downy Mildew: Ensure good spacing for air circulation and water at the base of plants, not on the leaves.

Harvesting Your Bountiful Fall Kale

The best part! You can start harvesting as soon as leaves are large enough to eat.

For a “cut-and-come-again” approach, harvest the outer, older leaves first. Snip them off at the stem, leaving the central growing bud intact. New leaves will grow from the center.
You can also harvest the whole plant by cutting the stem at the base.
After a light frost, the flavor sweetens noticeably. Harvest in the morning for the crispiest leaves.

Extending the Harvest Into Winter

With a little protection, kale can last months beyond fall.

Use Row Covers: Hoops with fabric row covers trap heat and protect leaves from harsh wind and heavy snow.
Add a Thick Mulch: Pile extra straw around the base of plants to insulate the roots.
Harvest Under Cover: You can often push back the mulch and harvest leaves even from under snow. The plant may go dormant in deep winter, but it will often regrow in early spring for a bonus harvest.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these pitfalls for a better harvest.

Planting Too Late: This is the number one error. Tiny seedlings won’t survive freezing temps.
Overcrowding: Plants that are too close together compete for light and nutrients and are more prone to disease.
Inconsistent Watering: Stress from drought leads to tough, bitter leaves.
Ignoring Soil Fertility: Poor soil equals poor growth. Always amend with compost.

FAQ: Your Fall Kale Questions Answered

Can I plant kale in October?

It depends on your climate. In zones 7 and warmer, October planting is often possible, especially with transplants. In colder zones, it’s likely too late unless you’re using season extension techniques like cold frames.

How cold can kale tolerate?

Kale is remarkably tough. Established plants can handle temperatures down to 20°F, and even colder with protection. A light frost actually improves its flavor.

Should I start kale indoors for fall?

If your summers are very hot and long, starting seeds indoors in mid-summer gets plants ready to go into the garden as soon as the weather breaks. It also gives you a jumpstart if your fall window is short.

What can I plant next to kale in the fall?

Good companions include onions, beets, and herbs like dill and mint. Avoid planting near other brassicas like broccoli if you had pest issues there recently.

Why is my fall kale bitter?

Bitterness is usually caused by stress—either from heat, lack of water, or poor soil. Fall-grown kale that matures in cool weather is almost always sweeter. Wait for a frost for the best flavor.

Getting your fall kale planting right is a simple matter of timing and basic care. By counting back from your frost date and giving your plants a good start, you’ll set yourself up for months of fresh, homegrown greens. There’s nothing quite like picking your own kale from the garden on a crisp autumn day, knowing you planned it perfectly.