Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Kale in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as Apr 15 - May 5 in Rhode Island. Rhode Island gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Sandy near coast. Glacial deposits throughout. Amendment needed...

Rhode Island Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Rhode Island	6a, 6b, 7a	Apr 15 - May 5	Oct 5 - Oct 25

Kale Planting Schedule for Rhode Island

Rhode Island (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 5 · Average first frost: Oct 5 - 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

Growing Kale in Rhode Island

Kale in Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Sandy near coast. Glacial deposits throughout. Amendment needed for most vegetable gardening.

Rhode Island Climate & Growing Season

Maritime climate moderates temperatures. Four seasons. Moderate growing season. Ocean influence reduces frost risk near coast. Kale can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Rhode Island's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

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 Rhode Island, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Rhode Island gardeners should plan around a Apr 15 - May 5 last frost, while those in Rhode Island can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

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