When to plant kale in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Kale needs 50–65 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant kale in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 2 – Apr 19, with seeds started indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow kale in Nebraska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 12 – Mar 26). Sow seeds ½ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 70°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 2 – Apr 19). Space plants about 16 inches apart in rows 20 inches apart. It tolerates hard frost, so it is one of the first crops to plant. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Nebraska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: cabbage worm, cabbage looper, cabbage aphid, flea beetle, harlequin bug. Diseases and disorders: black rot, clubroot, downy mildew.
- Harvest (from about May 29 – Jun 13). Kale takes 50-65 days to reach harvest. Flavour turns sweet after a hard frost, so the fall crop is the good one. Pick lower leaves and let the plant keep growing upward.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full kale growing guide.
Kale planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the kale dates shift with them.
When to plant kale in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 17 – May 4 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 12 – Apr 29 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 18 – Apr 4 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant kale in Nebraska?
Plant kale transplants outdoors in Nebraska between April 2 and April 19. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
When should I start kale seeds indoors in Nebraska?
Start seeds indoors between March 12 and March 26, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 2.
Can I plant kale in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 10 and July 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will kale planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, kale is usually ready from about May 29 to June 13, 50-65 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.