DibbleWhen to plant kale in Zone 5
In Zone 5, the last spring frost usually passes around April 30 and the first fall frost arrives around October 1, leaving about 154 frost-free days. The windows below are computed from those frost dates, with the same math the Dibble app uses.
Classic temperate season. Most vegetables and flowers do well with normal timing.
Planting windows for kale in Zone 5
| Task | Window |
|---|---|
| Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 to Apr 2 |
| Transplant | Apr 16 to Apr 30 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 15 to Aug 14 |
The harvest estimate counts 60 days to maturity, then a picking window of about 60 days. These windows use typical frost dates for Zone 5; Dibble pins them to your exact ZIP code.
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How to grow kale
Start kale indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant 2 weeks before. It's hardy and even sweeter after a fall frost.
Companion plants
Good neighbors for Kale:
Better kept apart:
Kale in nearby zones
Keep exploring
Kale: the full growing guide · The Zone 5 planting calendar · Every crop and zone
Plant at the right time this season
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Dates are estimates based on typical frost dates for the zone. Your yard has its own microclimate, so use them as a starting point and adjust as you learn your space.