Collard Greens Planting Guide
Collard greens are a heat-tolerant member of the cabbage family with large, sturdy leaves. They are a Southern staple and one of the most nutritious leafy greens.
Brassica oleracea var. viridis · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 55–75 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Collard Greens Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Collard Greens?
Collard Greens Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Collard Greens planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 25 – Sep 26 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 17 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 10 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jul 5 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jul 1 – Sep 2 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 26 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 20 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jun 13 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | Jun 5 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 29 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | May 13 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | May 3 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 22 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Apr 7 – Jun 9 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 22 – May 24 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 26 – Apr 30 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Collard Greens is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Collard Greens
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Collard Greens
Collard Greens matures in just 55–75 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.3 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Collard Greens
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Collard Greens
Start seeds indoors or direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost. Harvest lower leaves first, leaving the growing tip intact. Flavor improves after exposure to frost.
Saving Collard Greens Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Collard Greens by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Collard Greens?
Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea var. viridis) takes 55 to 75 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Collard Greens grow in?
Collard Greens can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Collard Greens need?
Growing Collard Greens requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.