Planting Guides
When to Plant Kale in Dallas: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8a
Dallas, Texas
USDA Zone 8a
Last Frost: Mar 15
Last updated: October 30, 2025
Plant kale in Dallas from August through January for winter harvest. Zone 8a's hot summers make fall planting essential for sweet, tender leaves.
— Image © PlantReference.org 2026
Quick Answer
Plant kale in Dallas from August 15 to January 15 for winter harvest. Fall planting provides sweetest flavor after frost exposure.
TL;DR
Plant kale in Dallas from August 15 through January for continuous winter harvest. Zone 8a's long growing season allows fall-planted kale to mature before first frost (November 24) and survive mild winters for 4-6 months of production. Avoid summer planting—Dallas heat causes immediate bolting and bitter leaves. Brassica oleracea 'Red Russian' and Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' offer best heat tolerance for shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant kale in Dallas for the best flavor?
Plant kale in Dallas from August 15 through September 15 for optimal flavor development. This timing allows plants to mature before the first frost in late November, then experience the cold temperatures that convert starches to sugars, creating sweet, tender leaves. Fall-planted kale consistently outperforms spring plantings in both flavor and texture. The extended harvest period from November through March provides months of peak-quality production.
Can I grow kale year-round in Dallas?
Dallas's Zone 8a climate supports kale production for 8-9 months annually, but true year-round growing isn't practical due to summer heat. Plant in August for fall establishment, harvest through winter and spring, then remove plants before summer heat arrives. The optimal growing window runs from August through May, with peak quality during the December through February winter months when frost sweetens the leaves.
What kale varieties work best in Dallas heat?
Brassica oleracea 'Red Russian' and Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' show superior heat tolerance for Dallas conditions. Red Russian bolts more slowly during spring temperature fluctuations, while Lacinato's thick leaves resist heat stress during the August-September establishment period. Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' excels for winter production but struggles with heat. Avoid tender varieties during shoulder seasons when temperatures fluctuate between 70-85°F (21-29°C).
How do I prevent kale from bolting in Dallas spring weather?
Prevent spring bolting by avoiding early plantings and choosing bolt-resistant varieties. Plant no earlier than February 15 for spring crops, and stick to Brassica oleracea 'Red Russian' for best bolt resistance. Maintain consistent soil moisture and provide afternoon shade during warm spells. Most importantly, plan for complete harvest by late May before sustained heat triggers irreversible bolting. Fall planting eliminates bolting concerns entirely.
What pests should I watch for on Dallas kale?
Monitor for cabbage worms (green caterpillars), harlequin bugs (black and orange shield-shaped insects), and aphids. Cabbage worms are most active during fall planting season and can defoliate plants rapidly. Use row covers during peak butterfly activity and apply Bt spray weekly for infestations. Harlequin bugs pose the greatest threat, causing rapid plant death through sap feeding. Hand removal and trap cropping with cleome provides best control. Aphids cluster on new growth during spring, controlled with strong water sprays or insecticidal soap.
How cold can kale survive in Dallas winters?
Dallas kale survives temperatures down to 15-20°F (-9 to -7°C) without protection. Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' and Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' show excellent cold tolerance, while Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' may suffer minor damage below 20°F (-7°C). During extreme cold snaps (below 15°F/-9°C), provide row cover protection. Most winters, established kale plants continue producing without any protection, making them ideal for continuous winter harvest in Dallas's mild Zone 8a climate.
Should I start kale from seeds or transplants in Dallas?
Direct seeding works excellently for Dallas kale production and often outperforms transplants. Dallas's warm August-September soil temperatures (75-85°F/24-29°C) provide ideal germination conditions. Direct-seeded plants develop stronger root systems and show better heat tolerance during establishment. Use transplants only for winter plantings when soil temperatures drop below optimal germination ranges, or when starting plants indoors to extend the growing season.
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James Martinez
James is a lawn care professional in Dallas who runs a small residential maintenance company. He started mowing lawns as a teenager and worked his way up to running crews for a large landscaping firm before going out on his own. James specializes in warm-season turf grasses—Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia—and knows how to keep a lawn alive through Texas summers without wasting water. He's also experienced with the transition zone challenges that Dallas faces, where warm-season and cool-season grasses overlap. James takes a practical, science-informed approach to lawn care and pushes back on the idea that a good lawn requires heavy chemical inputs.
