New Jersey · zones 6b–7b
When to plant kale in New Jersey.
Sow or transplant between Mar 8 to Apr 5 in a typical year, keyed to New Jersey's median last frost around Apr 15. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 28 to Sep 12. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical New Jersey season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 25 to Feb 22
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 8 to Apr 5
Keyed to the ~Apr 15 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 28 to Sep 12
Counted back from the ~Oct 28 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
New Jersey spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 7b. 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.