PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant kale in Salt Lake City, Utah

March 10 – March 24

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Salt Lake City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT (USC00427606), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Salt Lake City (ZCTA 84111 centroid), elevation 4280 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow kale from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 31). One year in ten still freezes after April 19.

Last spring freezeMarch 311-in-10 after Apr 19
First fall freezeNovember 81-in-10 before Oct 23
Frost-free season≈ 224 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 8 – Nov 18kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Salt Lake City year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 10 – Mar 24
Fall plantingSep 13 – Oct 11
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 19
Kale in Salt Lake City · freeze context from Salt Lake Triad Ctr, UT, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Purdue: hardy — 4–6 weeks before the last frost; Penn State's earliest sowing Apr 10 (−21 days) is the later start and is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 31). Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners) · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Sep 13 – Oct 11

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kale at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 8). Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average curly variety (about 50–65 days; Penn State lists 60).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (2)

Keep exploring

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