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When to Plant Collard Greens in Maui County, HI

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.

Maui County, Hawaii is in USDA Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 24 feet, Maui County receives approximately 75.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silty clay soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Collard Greens during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Collard Greens, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Collard Greens root diseases.

Maui County, HI (Zone 11a) Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Maui County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silty Clay

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 411 gal / 100 sq ft
Collard Greens needs ~1,186 GDD — county provides 6,661 GDD Excellent fit

Collard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Maui County, HI

Collard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 โ€“ Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors January 1 Jan 1 โ€“ Jan 15
Direct Sow December 11 Dec 11 โ€“ Jan 1
Fall Sowing November 5 Nov 5 โ€“ Nov 19
Harvest February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Apr 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 11a

Growing Season

364 days

Growing Tips for Maui 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 Maui County, HI?

Maui County is in Zone 11a with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Maui County, HI?

Maui County, Hawaii is in USDA Hardiness Zone 11a. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Maui County gardeners in Zone 11a 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 Maui County, HI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.