When to Plant Kale in Madison, Wisconsin (53708)

Location

Madison, Wisconsin

ZIP Code

53708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Direct Sow Outdoors Saturday, March 14, 2026

Pro Tip: Sow Kale directly outdoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea

Days to Maturity 55 days

Mature Height 18-24"

Spread 18"

Type Leaf

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Kale in Madison?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, March 14, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeetCeleryCucumberDillOnion

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

StrawberryTomato

Other Plants for Madison

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Kale in Zone 5b

Kale (Brassica oleracea) is a popular garden vegetable. In Madison, Wisconsin, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Kale grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.