Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Kale in Minnesota

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 Minnesota's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as May 15 - Jun 1 in Northern Minnesota. Minnesota gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rich prairie soils in south and west. Rocky and thin soils in north. Generally excellent for...

Minnesota Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Minnesota 3a, 3b May 15 - Jun 1 Sep 5 - Sep 20
Central Minnesota 3b, 4a May 5 - May 20 Sep 15 - Oct 1
Southern Minnesota 4a, 4b Apr 25 - May 10 Sep 25 - Oct 10

Kale Planting Schedule for Minnesota

Northern Minnesota (Zones 3a, 3b)

Average last frost: May 15 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 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

Central Minnesota (Zones 3b, 4a)

Average last frost: May 5 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Oct 1

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 Minnesota (Zones 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: Apr 25 - May 10 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

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 Minnesota

Kale in Minnesota's Climate

Kale is your climate's superstar. It thrives in cool weather, survives hard frosts, and actually improves in flavor after cold exposure. In northern zones, kale produces from April through December — one of the longest harvests of any crop. Snow-covered kale harvested in December is genuinely sweeter than summer kale. If you grow nothing else in a cold climate, grow kale.

Soil Considerations for Minnesota

Rich prairie soils in south and west. Rocky and thin soils in north. Generally excellent for gardening in southern half.

Minnesota Climate & Growing Season

Long, cold winters. Warm summers. Short but productive growing season with long summer days. Hardy varieties essential. Kale can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Minnesota's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Minnesota: Northern Minnesota (3a, 3b) has a last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southern Minnesota (4a, 4b) sees frost end around Apr 25 - May 10. 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 Minnesota, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Minnesota gardeners should plan around a May 15 - Jun 1 last frost, while those in Southern Minnesota 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 Minnesota Planting Calendar All plants for Minnesota 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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