Pennsylvania · zones 5b–7b
When to plant kale in Pennsylvania.
Sow or transplant between Mar 18 to Apr 15 in a typical year, keyed to Pennsylvania's median last frost around Apr 25. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 14 to Aug 29. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Pennsylvania season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 4 to Mar 4
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 18 to Apr 15
Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 14 to Aug 29
Counted back from the ~Oct 14 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Pennsylvania spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b 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.