Best Planting Times for Kale in Ohio
Planting Method | Activity | Recommended Dates |
---|---|---|
Outdoor Planting | Indoor Seed Starting | March 15 – April 15 |
Transplant Outdoors | April 15 – May 15 | |
Fall Planting | Direct Sow Outdoors | August 1 – September 1 |
Planting Conditions
Ohio has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, falling within USDA Hardiness Zones 5b to 6b. These conditions are favorable for growing cool-season crops like kale, particularly in the spring and fall.
Plant kale outdoors approximately 4-6 weeks before the last frost in spring, and 6-8 weeks before the first frost in fall.
Average Last Frost Dates for Ohio’s Largest Cities
City | Average Last Frost Date |
---|---|
Columbus | April 20 |
Cleveland | May 5 |
Cincinnati | April 15 |
Toledo | May 1 |
Akron | May 5 |
Dayton | April 25 |
Parma | May 5 |
Canton | May 5 |
Youngstown | May 10 |
Lorain | May 5 |
Average First Frost Dates for Ohio’s Largest Cities
City | Average First Frost Date |
---|---|
Columbus | October 15 |
Cleveland | October 20 |
Cincinnati | October 10 |
Toledo | October 15 |
Akron | October 20 |
Dayton | October 15 |
Parma | October 20 |
Canton | October 20 |
Youngstown | October 15 |
Lorain | October 20 |
Please note: These dates are averages and can vary from year to year. It’s important to monitor local weather and consider your specific location and microclimate when planning your gardening activities.
Starting Kale Indoors
In areas like Columbus (Zone 6a), start kale seeds indoors from March 15 to April 15. This ensures seedlings are ready for transplanting outdoors from mid-April to mid-May, after the last frost.
Transplanting Kale Seedlings
Transplant seedlings outdoors from April 15 to May 15, ensuring soil temperatures are consistently above 45°F. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows at least 18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and sunlight exposure.
General Care and Maintenance
Watering:
- Keep the soil evenly moist with regular deep watering, especially during warm summer days in Ohio.
- Water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of diseases.
Fertilizing:
- Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting and again when the leaves begin to develop. Adding compost before planting helps improve soil fertility and structure.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Watch out for common pests like aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms. Ohio’s humid climate can also encourage fungal diseases, so regular monitoring is important.
- Use organic or integrated pest management practices to keep your kale plants healthy.
Harvesting Kale:
- Pick the leaves when they’re large enough to eat but still tender. Regular harvesting promotes new growth and can extend the harvesting season, especially in Ohio’s favorable growing conditions.
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