When to plant kale in Kentucky

Plant out in Louisville/Jefferson County

Mar 9–Mar 23

Across Kentucky the window opens between March 5 and March 25. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Plant out, Louisville/Jefferson County: Mar 9–Mar 23
Sow outdoors, Louisville/Jefferson County: Mar 9–Mar 23
Fall planting, Louisville/Jefferson County: Aug 23–Sep 6
Last frost, Louisville/Jefferson County: Apr 6

Plant out 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 8–10 weeks before the first frost. Kale keeps producing through frost and often into winter.

Kale planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Louisville/Jefferson CountyMar 9–Mar 23

Lexington-FayetteMar 16–Mar 30

Bowling GreenMar 8–Mar 22

OwensboroMar 5–Mar 19

CovingtonMar 19–Apr 2

GeorgetownMar 21–Apr 4

RichmondMar 18–Apr 1

ElizabethtownMar 19–Apr 2

FlorenceMar 21–Apr 4

NicholasvilleMar 16–Mar 30

HopkinsvilleMar 7–Mar 21

IndependenceMar 21–Apr 4

JeffersontownMar 6–Mar 20

FrankfortMar 18–Apr 1

HendersonMar 12–Mar 26

PaducahMar 9–Mar 23

RadcliffMar 19–Apr 2

AshlandMar 25–Apr 8

ErlangerMar 21–Apr 4

Questions

When should I plant kale in Kentucky?

In Louisville/Jefferson County, plant out from March 9 to March 23. Across Kentucky the window opens between March 5 and March 25, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Plant out 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 8–10 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Kentucky

Kale in other states

Frost dates for every city in Kentucky