Rhode Island · zones 6b–7a
When to plant kale in Rhode Island.
Sow or transplant between Mar 3 to Mar 31 in a typical year, keyed to Rhode Island's median last frost around Apr 10. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 27 to Sep 11. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Rhode Island season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 20 to Feb 17
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 3 to Mar 31
Keyed to the ~Apr 10 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 27 to Sep 11
Counted back from the ~Oct 27 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Rhode Island spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b to 7a. 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.