Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Kale in Louisiana

The toughest green in the garden. Kale laughs at frost and actually tastes sweeter after a cold snap.

The Short Answer

Kale are cold-tolerant and do well in Louisiana's humid climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as Mar 1 - Mar 15 in Northern Louisiana. Louisiana gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some...

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana 9a, 9b Feb 1 - Feb 20 Dec 1 - Dec 20

Kale Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Kale in Louisiana

Kale in Louisiana's Climate

Kale is a cool-season green in warm climates, producing from October through March. It handles your lightest frosts without damage and keeps producing when lettuce and spinach have bolted. In the mildest parts of your zone, kale can produce through the entire winter without protection.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Kale can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Louisiana's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for kale — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the center to keep growing. Can survive temperatures down to 10°F with mulch protection.

Companion Planting

Plant kale alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Herbs Onions

Keep kale away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

The Bottom Line

Kale can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Kale Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Louisiana Planting Calendar All plants for Louisiana Kale in Alabama Alabama planting dates Kale in Alaska Alaska planting dates Kale in Arizona Arizona planting dates Kale in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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