Blog

When to Plant Collard Greens in Jeff Davis County, TX

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.

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 4,298 feet, Jeff Davis County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Collard Greens may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Collard Greens will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Collard Greens root diseases.

Jeff Davis County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Jeff Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Collard Greens Planting Timeline — Jeff Davis County, TX

Collard Greens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Jul 31
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

55–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

212 days in Jeff Davis County

Growing Tips for Jeff Davis 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Collard Greens in Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jeff Davis County, TX?

Jeff Davis County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Jeff Davis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jeff Davis County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.