When should I plant kale in ZIP 55401?

In ZIP 55401, the main kale target is around Apr 26, based on the representative Minneapolis frost station and USDA zone 5a.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in 55401?

Start kale seeds indoors in ZIP 55401 around Apr 5, about 35 days before the May 10 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 55401 planting calendar

When to plant kale in Minneapolis, MN - Zone 5a

Q: When is the first frost in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis (ZIP 55401) has an average first fall frost around Oct 1, leaving about 144 frost-free days.

In ZIP 55401, plant kale around Apr 26; this uses the Minneapolis frost station, USDA zone 5a, and kale timing rules.

Your Minneapolis calendar has a 144-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Minneapolis frost station, USDA zone 5a, and kale timing rules.

Source: minneapolis-st-paul frost station, USDA zone 5a, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the minneapolis-st-paul frost station and USDA zone 5a, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the Minneapolis area, kale timing follows the Minneapolis frost window, so the local ZIP date can differ from a broad zone-only calendar.

USDA zone 5a Minneapolis frost station University of Minnesota Extension Updated 2026-06-28

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Answer first

When to start kale seeds indoors in Minneapolis

In ZIP 55401, start kale seeds indoors around Apr 5, about 35 days before the May 10 last-frost estimate.

Start kale seeds indoors in Minneapolis around Apr 5, about 35 days before the May 10 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Kale dates for Minneapolis, MN

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	April 5, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	April 26, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	April 19, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis (ZIP 55401) has an average last spring frost around May 10.

First frost

When is the first frost in Minneapolis?

The average first fall frost is around Oct 1, giving about 144 frost-free days.

Season map

Kale windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Apr 5

Direct sow

Apr 19

Transplant

Apr 26

Harvest

Jun 25

Frost watch

Aug 2

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start kale indoorsApr 5

Direct sow kaleApr 19

Transplant kaleApr 26

Last frost windowMay 10

First kale harvest windowJun 25

Last kale sowing targetAug 2

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	May 10, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	October 1, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	144 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	12-18 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	45 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Minneapolis frost history and USDA zone 5a shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of Minnesota Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Kale timing notes

Kale sweetens after a light frost. Kale prefers full sun, 12-18 in spacing, and soil near 45 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 1. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 2.