Planting Guides
When to Plant Kale in Nashville: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 7a
Nashville, Tennessee
USDA Zone 7a
Last Frost: Apr 10
Last updated: October 30, 2025
Plant kale in Nashville February 15-March 15 for spring harvest or August 1-15 for superior fall crops that sweeten with frost.
— Image © PlantReference.org 2026
Quick Answer
Plant kale in Nashville February 15-March 15 for spring harvest or August 1-15 for fall crops. Fall plantings provide superior flavor after frost sweetening.
TL;DR
Nashville's Zone 7a climate offers excellent kale growing conditions with two distinct planting windows. Plant February 15-March 15 for spring harvest before summer heat, or August 1-15 for superior fall crops that improve with frost. Fall-planted kale provides the sweetest flavor and can be harvested through December with light protection. Choose Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' for heat tolerance or Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' for maximum cold hardiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant kale in Nashville for the best flavor?
Plant kale in Nashville during the August 1-15 window for fall harvest. Fall-planted kale develops superior flavor because Nashville's October frost naturally converts plant starches to sugars, creating sweet, tender leaves. While spring planting (February 15-March 15) produces good kale, it can't match the exceptional quality of frost-sweetened fall crops. The best-tasting kale comes from plants that mature just as cool weather arrives.
Can kale survive Nashville winters outdoors?
Yes, most kale varieties survive Nashville's Zone 7a winters with minimal protection. Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' and Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' regularly survive temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C) without covering. During Nashville's typical winter lows in the 20s, kale continues growing slowly and can be harvested through February. For extended harvest during occasional severe cold snaps, simple row covers or cold frames provide adequate protection.
Why does my Nashville spring kale turn bitter and bolt?
Nashville's rapid spring warm-up triggers premature flowering (bolting) in kale, making leaves tough and bitter. When temperatures consistently exceed 80°F (27°C) in late May and June, kale switches from leaf production to seed production. This is natural plant behavior, not a growing failure. Choose bolt-resistant varieties like Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' for spring planting, and focus on fall crops for the best results in Nashville's climate.
What's the biggest pest problem for kale in Nashville?
Cabbage worms are the primary kale pest in Nashville, appearing in two major waves during March-May and August-September. These green caterpillars hatch from eggs laid by small white butterflies and can completely defoliate plants within days. Install floating row covers immediately after planting to prevent egg-laying, and spray with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) weekly when caterpillars appear. Hand-picking larger worms in early morning provides additional control.
How long can I harvest from one kale planting in Nashville?
Fall-planted kale in Nashville provides 4-6 months of continuous harvest when properly managed. Plant in August, begin harvesting mature outer leaves in October, and continue through February or March. Cut outer leaves regularly while leaving the center growing point intact—this "cut-and-come-again" method keeps plants producing new growth. Spring plantings typically provide 2-3 months of harvest before summer heat causes bolting and quality decline.
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Written By
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Marcus Washington
Marcus manages the grounds at a historic property in Memphis and runs a side business doing residential garden design. He grew up helping his grandfather maintain a large vegetable garden in the Mississippi Delta and carried that knowledge into formal training—he has a degree in landscape technology. Memphis sits in a sweet spot for growing: long warm seasons, decent rainfall, and mild enough winters that many marginally hardy plants survive. Marcus writes about Southern gardening traditions, ornamental garden design, and dealing with the humidity and heavy rainfall that define the Mid-South climate.
