Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant kale in Washington DC.
Sow or transplant between Feb 26 to Mar 26 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 8 to Sep 23. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical Washington DC season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 15 to Feb 12
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Feb 26 to Mar 26
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Aug 8 to Sep 23
Counted back from the ~Nov 8 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
Washington DC spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7b 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.