When to Plant Kale in New York
The toughest green in the garden. Kale laughs at frost and actually tastes sweeter after a cold snap.
The Short Answer
New York Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of New York you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks | 3b, 4a, 4b | May 20 - Jun 5 | Sep 5 - Sep 20 |
| Capital Region/Hudson Valley | 5a, 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
| New York City/Long Island | 7a, 7b | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 20 - Nov 10 |
| Western New York | 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
Kale Planting Schedule for New York
Adirondacks (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)
Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20
Capital Region/Hudson Valley (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
New York City/Long Island (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 10
Western New York (Zones 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
Growing Kale in New York
Kale in New York's Climate
Kale grows from early spring through late fall in your climate — frost-tolerant enough to be one of the first and last crops of the season. Fall-harvested kale sweetened by frost is the highlight. Summer kale production may pause during the hottest weeks (above 85°F) but typically resumes as temperatures moderate.
Soil Considerations for New York
Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas.
New York Climate & Growing Season
Wide climate variation. NYC has mild winters. Adirondacks have very short seasons. Lake effect modifies weather near Great Lakes. Kale can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New York's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.
Growing season length varies across New York: Adirondacks (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York (5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 15. 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:
Keep kale away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026