Florida · zones 8b11a

When to plant kale in Florida.

Sow or transplant between Jan 1 to Jan 24 in a typical year, keyed to Florida's median last frost around Feb 3. A second, fall sowing fits Sep 14 to Oct 30. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Kale dates for a typical Florida season.

1 · Start indoors

Nov 20 to Dec 13

About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.

2 · Set out

Jan 1 to Jan 24

Keyed to the ~Feb 3 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.

Fall round

Sep 14 to Oct 30

Counted back from the ~Dec 15 first frost.

Harvest

~45 days later

~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.

Florida spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 11a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.