Rainline Garden

When to plant kale in Yakima, WA

Start kale from seed indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13, then plant the young plants in the garden in Yakima Apr 10 – May 22. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 26 – Aug 9.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Feb 27 – Mar 13 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 10 – May 22, 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 26 – Aug 9 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant kale in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through May 22. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 26 to August 9.

When should I start kale from seed indoors in Yakima?

February 27 to March 13, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the April 10 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for kale in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Kale in every city