When should I plant kale in ZIP 90802?

In ZIP 90802, the main kale target is around Jan 6, based on the representative Long Beach frost station and USDA zone 10b.

When should I start kale seeds indoors in 90802?

Start kale seeds indoors in ZIP 90802 around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 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 90802 planting calendar

When to plant kale in Long Beach, CA - Zone 10b

Q: When is the first frost in Long Beach?

Long Beach (ZIP 90802) has an average first fall frost around Dec 15, leaving about 329 frost-free days.

In ZIP 90802, plant kale around Jan 6; this uses the Long Beach frost station, USDA zone 10b, and kale timing rules.

Your Long Beach calendar has a 329-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Long Beach frost station, USDA zone 10b, and kale timing rules.

Source: long-beach-airport frost station, USDA zone 10b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 10b Long Beach frost station University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start kale seeds indoors in Long Beach

In ZIP 90802, start kale seeds indoors around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 last-frost estimate.

Start kale seeds indoors in Long Beach around Dec 16, about 35 days before the Jan 20 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Kale dates for Long Beach, CA

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	December 16, 2025	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	January 6, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	December 30, 2025	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Long Beach?

Long Beach (ZIP 90802) has an average last spring frost around Jan 20.

First frost

When is the first frost in Long Beach?

The average first fall frost is around Dec 15, giving about 329 frost-free days.

Season map

Kale windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Dec 16

Direct sow

Dec 30

Transplant

Jan 6

Harvest

Mar 7

Frost watch

Oct 16

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start kale indoorsDec 16

Direct sow kaleDec 30

Transplant kaleJan 6

Last frost windowJan 20

First kale harvest windowMar 7

Last kale sowing targetOct 16

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	January 20, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	December 15, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	329 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

Long Beach frost history and USDA zone 10b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 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 Dec 15. A conservative last sowing target is around Oct 16.