Planting Guides

When to Plant Kale in Kansas City: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 6a

Kansas City, Missouri

USDA Zone 6a

Last Frost: Apr 15

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Master kale growing in Kansas City with specific planting dates for Zone 6a. Spring and fall crops thrive while avoiding summer heat stress.

WWilliam "Bill" Crawford

October 30, 2025

Kale growing successfully in Kansas City Zone 6a garden with fall harvest timing — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant kale in Kansas City March 15-April 1 for spring harvest or July 15-August 1 for fall harvest. Fall plantings produce superior flavor after October frost sweetens the leaves.

TL;DR

Kansas City gardeners should plant kale twice yearly: spring crops sown March 15-April 1 for May-June harvest, and fall crops planted July 15-August 1 for September-November harvest. The fall crop produces superior flavor after first frost sweetens the leaves. Zone 6a's hot summers make kale a cool-season-only crop, but the extended fall growing window allows excellent harvests through November with proper variety selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start kale seeds indoors in Kansas City?

Start kale seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your intended transplant date. For spring crops, begin seeds February 15-March 1 to transplant in late March. Indoor starting isn't necessary for fall crops—direct sowing in July works better and produces hardier plants that handle temperature fluctuations more effectively.

Can kale survive Kansas City winters without protection?

Most kale varieties need protection to survive Zone 6a winters reliably. Winterbor Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' and Redbor Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' can survive temperatures down to 10°F (-12°C) with row covers and mulch protection. Without protection, expect plant death when temperatures drop below 20°F (-7°C) for extended periods. Cold frames provide the best winter extension method.

Why does my spring kale turn bitter and bolt quickly?

Spring kale bolts when exposed to temperatures above 80°F (27°C) combined with increasing day length. Kansas City's rapid spring warming triggers this response. Plant earlier varieties like Red Russian Brassica oleracea 'Red Russian' that mature in 50-60 days, allowing harvest before peak heat arrives. Fall plantings produce superior flavor and rarely bolt due to shortening days and cooling temperatures.

What's the latest I can plant kale for fall harvest in Kansas City?

The absolute latest planting date is August 15 for baby leaf harvest. For full-sized plants, plant by August 1 to ensure 60-75 days of growth before first frost on October 24. Earlier planting produces better results—July 15-20 plantings develop larger plants that handle frost better and provide longer harvest windows extending into November and December.

How do I know when fall kale is ready to harvest after frost?

Wait 2-3 days after the first hard frost (temperatures below 28°F/-2°C) for maximum flavor development. Frost converts starches to sugars, creating sweet, complex flavors. Leaves may appear slightly wilted immediately after frost but recover within 24 hours. The best eating quality occurs 1-2 weeks after first frost when sugar concentration peaks. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production.

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Tagged with

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Written By

William "Bill" Crawford

Bill is a third-generation nurseryman who runs a small family garden center on the outskirts of Kansas City. His grandfather started the business in the 1960s, and Bill took over after working as an ag teacher for a decade. He knows the plants that work in the Kansas City area better than anyone—he's grown most of them himself and watched customers succeed or fail with the rest. Bill specializes in trees and shrubs for the Midwest, perennial borders that handle the region's hot summers and cold winters, and helping customers make sensible choices rather than impulse buys. He writes the way he talks to customers: patient, knowledgeable, and honest about what's worth the money and what isn't.