Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Kale in Ohio

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

The Short Answer

Kale is Ohio's toughest green — it shrugs off frost, improves in flavor after cold snaps, and can be harvested well into December with minimal protection. It's the crop that extends Ohio's garden season long after everything else has succumbed to frost.

Ohio Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Ohio 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Oct 1 - Oct 15
Central Ohio 6a, 6b Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Southern Ohio 6b Apr 15 - Apr 30 Oct 15 - Oct 30

Kale Planting Schedule for Ohio

Northern Ohio (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Oct 1 - Oct 15

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 Ohio (Zones 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 5 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 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 Ohio (Zones 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - Apr 30 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Oct 30

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 Ohio

State-Specific Growing Tips

Spring: direct sow or transplant 3-4 weeks before last frost. Fall: direct sow in July-August for harvest from September through December. Kale handles Ohio's clay soil well. Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the center to continue growing. After a hard freeze, kale converts starches to sugars — fall-harvested kale is noticeably sweeter than spring-harvested.

Recommended Varieties for Ohio

Lacinato (Dinosaur/Tuscan) for cooking. Red Russian for salads. Winterbor (curly) for cold hardiness. Vates for compact growth. Ohio State Extension recommends kale as one of the most reliable crops for Ohio gardens year-round.

Common Challenges in Ohio

Cabbage worms and aphids. Flea beetles on young plants. Kale is so cold-hardy that the main 'challenge' is remembering to harvest it — plants keep producing long after most gardeners have abandoned the garden for winter.

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 in Ohio with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — Northern Ohio gardeners work with a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Southern Ohio sees frost end around Apr 15 - Apr 30. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. 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 Ohio Planting Calendar All plants for Ohio 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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