When to Plant Kale in Connecticut

Best Planting Times for Kale in Connecticut

Planting Method	Activity	Recommended Dates
Outdoor Planting	Indoor Seed Starting	February 15 – March 15
	Transplant Outdoors	April 1 – May 1
Fall Planting	Direct Sow Outdoors	August 1 – September 1

Planting Conditions

Connecticut has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers, falling within USDA Hardiness Zones 5b to 7a. This climate is well-suited for cool-season crops like kale, which thrive in milder temperatures.

Plant kale outdoors approximately 4-6 weeks before the last frost in spring, and 6-8 weeks before the first frost in fall.

Average Last Frost Dates for Connecticut’s Largest Cities

City	Average Last Frost Date
Bridgeport	April 15
New Haven	April 20
Stamford	April 18
Hartford	April 25
Waterbury	April 22
Norwalk	April 20
Danbury	April 25
New Britain	April 22
West Hartford	April 23
Greenwich	April 19

Average First Frost Dates for Connecticut’s Largest Cities

City	Average First Frost Date
Bridgeport	October 25
New Haven	October 28
Stamford	October 27
Hartford	October 15
Waterbury	October 18
Norwalk	October 27
Danbury	October 15
New Britain	October 17
West Hartford	October 18
Greenwich	October 27

Please note: These dates are averages and can vary from year to year. It is always a good idea to monitor local weather forecasts and consider your specific location and microclimate when planning your gardening activities.

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Useful Tools for Starting Kale Indoors

Using the right tools can save you time and increase your success rate.

Seeds

Quality seeds lead to better germination and healthier plants. Starting with high-quality seeds gives your kale the best chance to thrive from the very beginning.

Browse Kale Seeds on Amazon

Planting Trays

Planting trays help you organize your seedlings and ensure they have enough space to grow before you transplant them outdoors. This makes the process more efficient and increases the chances of strong, healthy plants.

Find Planting Trays on Amazon

Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential if you don’t have enough natural sunlight. They provide your seedlings with the light they need to grow strong and healthy, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Check out Grow Lights on Amazon

Seed Starting Soil

Using light, fine soil specifically designed for seed starting helps young roots establish quickly and promotes healthy growth. It’s an easy way to give your seedlings the best start possible.

Get Seed Starting Soil on Amazon

Garden Tools and Fertilizer

Garden Trowel

A garden trowel is a handy tool that makes transplanting your seedlings easier and more precise, ensuring that each plant is placed at the right depth without damaging the roots.

Shop Garden Trowels on Amazon

Soil and Fertilizer

Fertilizer is essential for enhancing growth, especially if your soil is nutrient-poor. By enriching the soil, you give your kale plants the nutrients they need to grow robust and produce a bountiful harvest.

Explore Fertilizer on Amazon

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Other planting guides for Connecticut:

• Broccoli Planting in Connecticut
• Tomato Planting in Connecticut
• Pumpkin Planting in Connecticut

Any questions on growing kale? Visit our forum to discuss: Growing Kale

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Starting Kale Indoors

In areas like Bridgeport (Zone 7a), start kale seeds indoors from February 15 to March 15. This timing ensures that seedlings are ready for outdoor transplanting from early April to early May, before the heat of summer arrives.

Transplanting Kale Seedlings

Transplant seedlings outdoors from April 1 to May 1, ensuring soil temperatures are consistently above 45°F. Space seedlings 12-18 inches apart in rows at least 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and sunlight exposure.

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Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Useful Tools for Starting Broccoli Indoors

Using the right tools can save you time and increase your success rate.

Seeds

Quality seeds lead to better germination and healthier plants. Starting with high-quality seeds gives your broccoli the best chance to thrive from the very beginning.

Browse Broccoli Seeds on Amazon

Planting Trays

Planting trays help you organize your seedlings and ensure they have enough space to grow before you transplant them outdoors. This makes the process more efficient and increases the chances of strong, healthy plants.

Find Planting Trays on Amazon

Grow Lights

Grow lights are essential if you don’t have enough natural sunlight. They provide your seedlings with the light they need to grow strong and healthy, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Check out Grow Lights on Amazon

Seed Starting Soil

Using light, fine soil specifically designed for seed starting helps young roots establish quickly and promotes healthy growth. It’s an easy way to give your seedlings the best start possible.

Get Seed Starting Soil on Amazon

Garden Tools and Fertilizer

Garden Trowel

A garden trowel is a handy tool that makes transplanting your seedlings easier and more precise, ensuring that each plant is placed at the right depth without damaging the roots.

Shop Garden Trowels on Amazon

Soil and Fertilizer

Fertilizer is essential for enhancing growth, especially if your soil is nutrient-poor. By enriching the soil, you give your broccoli plants the nutrients they need to grow robust and produce a bountiful harvest.

Explore Fertilizer on Amazon

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Other planting guides for Connecticut:

• Tomato Planting in Connecticut
• Kale Planting in Connecticut

Any questions on growing broccoli? Visit our forum to discuss: Growing Broccoli

General Care and Maintenance

Watering:

• Water deeply and consistently to maintain evenly moist soil. Connecticut’s warm summers can dry out the soil quickly, making regular watering essential.
• Water at the base of the plants to prevent wetting the foliage, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing:

• Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and again when the leaves begin to develop. Adding compost to the soil before planting can improve fertility and soil structure.

Pest and Disease Management:

• Monitor for common pests like aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms. The humid climate can also encourage fungal diseases, so vigilance is necessary.
• Use organic or integrated pest management strategies to protect your plants from pests and diseases.

Harvesting Kale:

• Harvest kale leaves when they are large enough to eat but still tender. Regular harvesting encourages new growth and can extend the season, especially in Connecticut’s mild fall.