Nebraska · zones 4b–5b
When to plant kale in Nebraska.
Sow or transplant between Mar 21 to Apr 18 in a typical year, keyed to Nebraska's median last frost around Apr 28. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 6 to Aug 21. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Nebraska season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 7 to Mar 7
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 21 to Apr 18
Keyed to the ~Apr 28 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 6 to Aug 21
Counted back from the ~Oct 6 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Nebraska spans more than one climate: Zone 5 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4b to 5b. 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.