Iowa · zones 4b–6a
When to plant kale in Iowa.
Sow or transplant between Mar 24 to Apr 21 in a typical year, keyed to Iowa's median last frost around May 1. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 7 to Aug 22. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Iowa season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 10 to Mar 10
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 24 to Apr 21
Keyed to the ~May 1 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 7 to Aug 22
Counted back from the ~Oct 7 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Iowa spans more than one climate: Zone 5 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4b to 6a. 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.