Planting Guides

When to Plant Kale in Los Angeles: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 10b

Los Angeles, California

USDA Zone 10b

Last Frost: Feb 15

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Learn when to plant kale in Los Angeles with specific dates for Zone 10b. Compare 5 varieties & discover which kale grows best in Southern California's year-round climate.

EEmma Chen

October 30, 2025

Kale plants growing year-round in Los Angeles Zone 10b garden with palm trees showing mild climate — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant kale in Los Angeles September through March for best results. Start seeds directly August 15 through February 15 for continuous harvest in Zone 10b's mild climate.

TL;DR

Los Angeles gardeners can plant kale nearly year-round in Zone 10b's mild Mediterranean climate. Best planting windows are September through March for optimal growth and flavor. The key to success is avoiding summer heat stress during June through August when temperatures exceed 80°F (27°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow kale year-round in Los Angeles?

Nearly, but not quite. You can grow kale from September through June in most Los Angeles areas, giving you about 10 months of production. The hottest months (July and August) are too stressful for most varieties, though coastal areas with marine layer influence might successfully grow heat-tolerant varieties like Red Russian during summer with afternoon shade. Focus your main production on fall through spring for best results.

Which kale variety works best for small Los Angeles yards?

Brassica oleracea 'Vates' is specifically bred for compact growing and performs excellently in containers or small spaces. This dwarf variety reaches only 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) tall but produces continuously when harvested regularly. It also shows good heat tolerance for those inevitable warm spells we get in winter and spring. For maximum production in minimal space, try succession planting Vates every 3-4 weeks in different containers.

Why does my kale taste bitter even during cool weather?

Bitterness usually results from inconsistent watering rather than temperature stress in Los Angeles. Our low humidity and irregular rainfall patterns can cause plants to become drought-stressed even when temperatures are favorable. Install drip irrigation to provide consistent moisture, and mulch heavily to retain soil moisture. Also check your soil pH—Los Angeles alkaline soils (above pH 7.5) can cause nutrient uptake issues that affect flavor.

When should I start kale seeds for fall planting in Los Angeles?

Start your main fall crop between August 15 and September 15 for harvest beginning in October. August plantings require heat-tolerant varieties like Red Russian and Lacinato, while September plantings can include all varieties. This timing allows plants to establish during warm weather but reach maturity as temperatures cool, producing the best flavor and texture. Avoid starting seeds earlier than August 1—the heat stress isn't worth the extra few weeks of harvest.

How do I protect kale from cabbage worms in Los Angeles?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbage butterflies) are active year-round in Los Angeles due to our mild climate. Cover newly planted beds with floating row covers immediately after planting—this prevents adult butterflies from laying eggs on your plants. For established plantings, spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) every 7-10 days during active growing periods. Hand-picking caterpillars in early morning when they're sluggish is also highly effective for small gardens.

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Tagged with

#when to plant kale los angeles #kale planting guide #Zone 10b vegetables #Los Angeles gardening #Southern California kale #year-round kale growing #Mediterranean climate gardening #cool season crops #urban gardening LA #drought tolerant vegetables

Written By

Emma Chen

Emma runs a small succulent propagation business from her home in San Diego, shipping starter plants and cuttings across the country. She fell into succulents after college when she realized they were the only plants that survived her travel schedule—she was working as a travel nurse at the time. San Diego's mild, dry climate is ideal for outdoor succulent gardens, and Emma's front yard is a living catalog of over 200 varieties. She completed a certificate program in ornamental horticulture and writes about succulent care, propagation techniques, and drought-tolerant garden design. Her writing is calm and reassuring—she knows people feel bad about killing plants, and she wants them to stop worrying so much.