When to Plant Collard Greens in USDA Zone 9b
Your June gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 9b this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Basket week: collard greens
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
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.
In Zone 9b, the average last spring frost is around January 25 and the first fall frost is around December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 329 days.
Collard Greens Planting Timeline — Zone 9b
Where Is USDA Zone 9b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9b. Click any state to see the Collard Greens planting schedule for that location.
Collard Greens Planting Calendar — Zone 9b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 28 | Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 25 | Jan 25 – Feb 8 |
| Direct Sow | January 4 | Jan 4 – Jan 25 |
| Harvest | March 22 | Mar 22 – May 24 |
| Fall Sowing | October 25 | Oct 25 – Nov 8 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | Fall Sowing |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 9b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
55–75 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
25°F to 30°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
329 days (Zone 9b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Collard Greens in Zone 9b
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Collard Greens in Zone 9b
Zone 9b offers a long growing season (~329 days). You can plant Collard Greens earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Collard Greens Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Collard Greens in Other Zones
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
When should I plant Collard Greens in Zone 9b?
In Zone 9b, plan your Collard Greens planting around the average last frost date of January 25. Start seeds indoors around December 28. Direct sow outdoors around January 4. Transplant seedlings around January 25.
Can Collard Greens grow in Zone 9b?
Yes, Collard Greens can grow well in Zone 9b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 9b has a growing season of approximately 329 days, which is sufficient for Collard Greens (55-75 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Collard Greens in Zone 9b?
In Zone 9b, expect to harvest Collard Greens from March 22 – May 24. Collard Greens takes 55-75 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9b is around January 25, and the first fall frost is around December 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 329 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Collard Greens?
Good companion plants for Collard Greens include Onion, Potatoes, Thyme, Rosemary. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 9b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 9b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.