When to Plant Collard Greens in Cowley County, KS
May in the garden — Cowley County, Kansas
Your Cowley County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
-
Indoor seed-starting week for collard greens
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: 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.
Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.
At an elevation of 708 feet, Cowley County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Collard Greens during the growing season.
Cowley County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.3
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 Cowley County
How your county's soil matches Collard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.3) overlaps with Collard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Cowley County is excellent for Collard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Collard Greens will thrive.
How to Plant Collard Greens
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Collard Greens
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.3" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.5" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 2.7" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.2" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cowley 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 — Cowley County, KS
Collard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 11 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Direct Sow | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 18 |
| Harvest | June 6 | Jun 6 – Aug 8 |
| Fall Sowing | August 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
197 days in Cowley County
Growing Tips for Collard Greens in Cowley County
Direct sow Collard Greens outdoors after April 11 in Cowley 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 Cowley County, KS?
Cowley County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cowley County, KS?
Cowley County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.
Your Cowley County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Cowley County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.