Rainline Garden

When to plant kale in Baker City, OR

Start kale from seed indoors Mar 16–30, then plant the young plants in the garden in Baker City Apr 27 – Jun 8. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 7–21.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Baker City's typical last spring frost is May 25. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
18 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 60 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 16–30 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Apr 27 – Jun 8, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Plant again Jul 7–21 for a fall harvest.
  6. Harvest: Pick the lower leaves and let the top keep growing. Plants often produce from fall through spring west of the Cascades.

Varieties that do well here

  • Lacinato
  • Red Russian
  • Winterbor

Watch out for

Cabbage worms and aphids. Row cover keeps the white cabbage moths from laying eggs.

One of the best crops for Northwest winters; frost sweetens the leaves.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Baker City, OR?

Typically May 25. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 16. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Baker City Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant kale in Baker City?

The spring planting window runs through June 8. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 7 to July 21.

When should I start kale from seed indoors in Baker City?

March 16 to March 30, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the April 27 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Baker City around the same time

Planting dates for kale in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Baker City · Kale in every city