Planting Guides

When to Plant Kale in Richmond: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 7b

Richmond, Virginia

USDA Zone 7b

Last Frost: Apr 15

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Plant kale in Richmond July 15-August 15 for fall harvest or March 1-15 for spring crop. Zone 7b's 193-day season offers excellent cool-weather windows.

DDorothy "Dot" Williams

October 30, 2025

Healthy kale varieties growing in Richmond Virginia garden bed showing frost tolerance Zone 7b climate — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant kale in Richmond July 15-August 15 for fall harvest or March 1-15 for spring crop. Fall planting produces superior flavor after October 24 frost dates.

TL;DR

Richmond gardeners can grow excellent kale with two distinct seasons: plant March 1-15 for spring harvest or July 15-August 15 for superior fall harvest. Zone 7b's mild winters allow overwintering with protection, and frost actually sweetens kale flavor. Fall planting produces the best-tasting crop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I plant kale too late in Richmond?

Late August planting still works for baby leaf harvest in Richmond's Zone 7b climate. While you'll miss the full-size plant harvest, Brassica napus 'Red Russian' planted through August 25 provides tender baby leaves by October. The key advantage in Richmond is our mild winter—even late plantings often survive with protection for early spring harvest.

Can kale survive Richmond winters without protection?

Richmond kale survives most winters with minimal protection in Zone 7b. Brassica oleracea 'Winterbor' and Brassica oleracea 'Redbor' typically survive temperatures to 15°F unprotected. However, ice storms and strong winds cause more damage than cold temperatures. Use lightweight row covers during severe weather warnings to prevent desiccation and physical damage from ice.

Why does my spring kale taste bitter in Richmond?

Richmond's rapid spring warming triggers early bolting, making leaves tough and peppery. Spring kale planted March 1 often bolts by late May when temperatures consistently exceed 80°F. Solution: Focus on fall planting for Richmond's best kale, or harvest spring crops aggressively before heat stress occurs. Fall-planted kale sweetens naturally with frost exposure.

What's the best kale variety for Richmond's clay soil?

Brassica oleracea 'Lacinato' performs exceptionally in Richmond's amended clay soil due to its deep taproot and tolerance for moderate drainage issues. The flat leaves also shed Richmond's occasional ice better than deeply curled varieties like Winterbor. However, all varieties succeed with 2-3 inches of compost worked into clay soil annually.

How do I extend kale harvest through Richmond winters?

Richmond's Zone 7b allows excellent winter kale harvest with simple protection. Install low tunnels with 6-mil plastic or heavyweight row covers before December. Remove covers on warm days (above 45°F) to prevent overheating. Richmond kale often survives unprotected, but covered plants continue active growth through winter for continuous harvest.

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Written By

Dorothy "Dot" Williams

Dot grew up on a small farm in rural Virginia and has maintained a vegetable garden for decades. After retiring from teaching elementary school, she became a Master Gardener volunteer and spends her time mentoring new gardeners at community garden plots in Richmond. She's especially knowledgeable about heirloom varieties, seed saving, and traditional growing methods passed down from her grandmother. Dot's no-nonsense advice comes from extensive trial and error—she's seen every tomato disease, pest problem, and weather disaster imaginable. Her biggest pet peeve is gardeners who overcomplicate simple tasks. "Plants want to grow," she often says. "Your job is to not get in their way."