Virginia · zones 6b8a

When to plant kale in Virginia.

Sow or transplant between Mar 3 to Mar 31 in a typical year, keyed to Virginia's median last frost around Apr 10. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 29 to Sep 13. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Kale dates for a typical Virginia 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 29 to Sep 13

Counted back from the ~Oct 29 first frost.

Harvest

~45 days later

~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.

Virginia spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 6b 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.