Michigan · zones 4b–6b
When to plant kale in Michigan.
Sow or transplant between Mar 28 to Apr 25 in a typical year, keyed to Michigan's median last frost around May 5. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 8 to Aug 23. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Michigan season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 14 to Mar 14
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 28 to Apr 25
Keyed to the ~May 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 8 to Aug 23
Counted back from the ~Oct 8 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Michigan spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4b to 6b. 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.