Tennessee · zones 7a–8a
When to plant kale in Tennessee.
Sow or transplant between Mar 1 to Mar 29 in a typical year, keyed to Tennessee's median last frost around Apr 8. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 25 to Sep 9. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Tennessee season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 18 to Feb 15
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 1 to Mar 29
Keyed to the ~Apr 8 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Jul 25 to Sep 9
Counted back from the ~Oct 25 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Tennessee spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 8a. 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.