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When to Plant Collard Greens in Panola County, MS

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.

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 362 feet, Panola County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Panola County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Panola County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Collard Greens needs ~1,235 GDD — county provides 4,294 GDD Excellent fit

Collard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Panola County, MS

Collard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

226 days

Growing Tips for Panola 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 Panola County, MS?

Panola County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Panola County, MS?

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Panola County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Panola County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.