Maine · zones 3b–6a
When to plant kale in Maine.
Sow or transplant between Mar 31 to Apr 28 in a typical year, keyed to Maine's median last frost around May 8. 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 Maine season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 17 to Mar 17
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 31 to Apr 28
Keyed to the ~May 8 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.
Maine spans more than one climate: Zone 5 is the most common zone, but the state runs 3b 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.