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When to Plant Collard Greens in Boone County, AR

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.

Boone County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 844 feet, Boone County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Collard Greens during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Collard Greens root diseases.

Boone County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Boone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 18

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Collard Greens needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Collard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Boone County, AR

Collard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 2

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

55โ€“75 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Boone County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Collard Greens in Boone County, AR?

Boone County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boone County, AR?

Boone County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Boone County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Boone County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.