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.
In Washington DC: watch for
The pests that find kale here.
A middle-length season, about 217 frost-free days, means kale overlaps cabbage worms & loopers for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Green caterpillars chewing ragged holes; green droppings.
Organic fix: Handpick, cover with netting, spray Bt.
Gray-green clusters tucked into the leaf folds.
Organic fix: Blast with water, then insecticidal soap.
Tiny holes peppering the young leaves.
Organic fix: Row cover from day one; diatomaceous earth.
Black rot
Yellow V-shaped wedges cutting in from the leaf edge, veins blackening inside.
Organic fix: Pull infected plants, water at the base, keep brassicas out of that bed 3 years.
Seedlings wilt, yellow and stall for no reason; white maggots tunnel the roots.
Organic fix: Row cover before the flies are up, when yellow rocket blooms; rotate the bed.
Your season math: Washington DC gives kale about 217 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 45 days to a first harvest. It's a one-planting crop, so time that single sowing well.
Planting kale in Washington DC: questions
When should I plant kale in Washington DC?+
In a typical Washington DC year, sow kale or set out transplants between Feb 26 to Mar 26, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 5. There's also a fall window: Aug 8 to Sep 23. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start kale seeds indoors in Washington DC?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Jan 15 to Feb 12 for a typical Washington DC season.
What USDA zone is Washington DC?+
Washington DC spans zones 7b–7b, mostly zone 7. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many kale plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.