When to plant kale in Seattle and Tacoma, WA

Start kale from seed indoors Feb 1–15, then plant the young plants in the garden in Seattle and Tacoma Mar 15 – Apr 26. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 6–20.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Seattle and Tacoma's typical last spring frost is March 2. In the west-side valleys, the soil is usually ready for kale around March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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

Start seeds indoors Feb 1–15 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Mar 15 – Apr 26, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Aug 6–20 for a fall harvest.
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 Seattle and Tacoma, WA?

Typically March 2. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 23. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Is it too late to plant kale in Seattle and Tacoma?

The spring planting window runs through April 26. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 6 to August 20.

When should I start kale from seed indoors in Seattle and Tacoma?

February 1 to February 15, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the March 15 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.