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🥬 Vegetable medium

Growing Kale in Seattle

🇺🇸 Zone 7 Planting Guide · Warm-summer Mediterranean climate

USDA Zone 7 250 frost-free days 55-75 days to harvest

Quick Answer: Growing Kale in Seattle

Yes, you can grow Kale in Seattle, US! Plant during Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct for best results. Seattle is in USDA Zone 7 with a Warm-summer Mediterranean climate, offering 250 frost-free days per year. The difficulty level is medium, and Kale takes 55-75 days to harvest. Kale needs full sun to partial shade and regular watering.

Climate Match Analysis

Good Match Seattle + Kale

Seattle's temperatures (2°C to 24°C) are within the tolerable range for Kale (-10°C to 25°C), though not always in the optimal zone (5°C to 20°C). Plant during recommended months for best results.

Kale tolerates -10°C to 25°C
Optimal: 5°C - 20°C
Seattle range 2°C to 24°C

Seattle Climate Data

USDA Zone
7
Frost-Free
250days
Winter Low
2°C
Summer High
24°C
Rainfall
953mm/yr
Climate
Csb
Warm-summer Mediterranean

Kale Planting Calendar for Seattle

Green months show the best time to plant Kale in Seattle

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant Kale Not recommended

Kale Growing Requirements

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Sunlight

Full Sun to Partial Shade

2-4 hours direct sunlight

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Water

Regular

Consistent moisture, 1-2 inches/week

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Days to Harvest

55-75

From planting to first harvest

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Difficulty

medium

Some experience helpful

💡 Growing Tips for Kale

One of the hardiest garden crops. Can overwinter in many climates with mulch. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Frost tolerance: Kale is frost tolerant — you can plant earlier in spring.

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Companion Plants for Kale

Find out which plants grow best alongside Kale — and which to keep apart

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Grow Kale Indoors

No garden? Learn how to grow Kale indoors with our complete guide

How to Grow Kale in Seattle

Seattle, US is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 with a Warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb). With winter lows of 2°C and summer highs of 24°C, the growing season spans approximately 250 frost-free days. Kale grows well with some gardening knowledge in this climate.

Kale thrives in temperatures between 5°C and 20°C, requiring full sun to partial shade and regular watering. In Seattle, the best months to plant Kale are January, February, March, September, October. Since Kale can tolerate frost, you have flexibility to plant earlier in the season or extend into cooler months. Expect to harvest in approximately 55-75 days after planting.

With 953mm of annual rainfall, Seattle provides moderate natural moisture. You'll likely need to supplement with regular watering, especially during the growing season.

Other Plants That Grow in Seattle

More plants you can grow alongside Kale in Seattle

Keep Exploring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow kale in Seattle?

Yes! Kale can be successfully grown in Seattle, US. Seattle is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7 with a Warm-summer Mediterranean climate. The difficulty level for growing Kale here is rated "medium". The best months to plant are January, February, March, September, October.

When should I plant kale in Seattle?

In Seattle, the recommended planting months for Kale are January, February, March, September, October. Seattle has 250 frost-free days per year, with winter lows of 2°C and summer highs of 24°C. Kale is frost tolerant, giving you more flexibility with planting dates.

How long does kale take to grow in Seattle?

Kale typically takes 55-75 days from planting to harvest. In Seattle's Warm-summer Mediterranean climate with 250 frost-free days, you have plenty of time to grow Kale to maturity. One of the hardiest garden crops. Can overwinter in many climates with mulch. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Organic mulch around the base helps maintain even moisture.

Can I grow kale indoors in Seattle?

Kale can potentially be grown indoors in Seattle with proper conditions. It requires full sun to partial shade (2-4 hours of indirect light). Indoor growing extends your season beyond the Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct outdoor planting window. Use containers with good drainage and regular watering.

What month do I plant kale in Seattle?

Plant Kale in Seattle during January, February, March, September, October. These are the optimal months based on Seattle's USDA Zone 7 climate, 250 frost-free days, and temperature range of 2°C to 24°C.

Is kale hard to grow in Seattle?

Kale is rated "medium" to grow in Seattle. Some gardening experience is helpful. Pay attention to watering schedules and planting timing. The climate match for Kale in Seattle is Good.

What grows well with kale in Seattle?

In Seattle, you can grow many companion plants alongside Kale. Good options from the same planting window include Tomato, Basil, Lettuce, Carrot and 2 more. These plants share similar planting months and thrive in Seattle's Zone 7 climate.

Does kale need full sun in Seattle?

Kale requires full sun to partial shade. Kale tolerates lower light. In Seattle, a spot with filtered or indirect light for 2-4 hours works well.

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

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