When to Plant Collard Greens in Lemhi County, ID
May in the garden — Lemhi County, Idaho
Here's what deserves your attention in Lemhi County, Idaho this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Scatter collard greens into prepared beds
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Transplants going out: collard greens
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.
Lemhi County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 97 days.
At an elevation of 6,743 feet, Lemhi County receives approximately 12.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Collard Greens to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Collard Greens successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Lemhi County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-8.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Lemhi County
How your county's soil matches Collard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–8.2) is more alkaline than Collard Greens prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lemhi County is excellent for Collard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Collard Greens.
How to Plant Collard Greens
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Collard Greens
Collard Greens needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Collard Greens Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 3.5" | 0.8" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.3" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.3" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Lemhi County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Collard Greens Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Collard Greens Planting Timeline — Lemhi County, ID
Collard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 5 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 9 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 26 | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| Harvest | August 4 | Aug 4 – Oct 6 |
| Fall Sowing | July 6 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
97 days in Lemhi County
Growing Tips for Collard Greens in Lemhi County
Direct sow Collard Greens outdoors after June 09 in Lemhi County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Collard Greens in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Collard Greens in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Collard Greens in Lemhi County, ID?
Lemhi County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lemhi County, ID?
Lemhi County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 14.
Your Lemhi County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lemhi County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.