Blog

When to Plant Collard Greens in Multnomah County, OR

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.

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 357 feet, Multnomah County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Collard Greens to ensure they mature before fall.

Multnomah County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Multnomah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 926 gal / 100 sq ft
Collard Greens needs ~845 GDD — county provides 2,548 GDD Excellent fit

Collard Greens Planting Timeline โ€” Multnomah County, OR

Collard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 11

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 โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Multnomah 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 Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Multnomah County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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