Louisiana · zones 8b–9b
When to plant kale in Louisiana.
Sow or transplant between Jan 21 to Feb 18 in a typical year, keyed to Louisiana's median last frost around Feb 28. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 31 to Oct 16. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Louisiana season.
1 · Start indoors
Dec 10 to Jan 7
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Jan 21 to Feb 18
Keyed to the ~Feb 28 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Aug 31 to Oct 16
Counted back from the ~Dec 1 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Louisiana spans more than one climate: Zone 9 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8b to 9b. 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.