When to Plant Collard Greens in Wilbarger County, TX
Your May planting checklist for Wilbarger County, Texas
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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It's harvest week for collard greens
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Wilbarger County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.
At an elevation of 1,980 feet, Wilbarger County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Collard Greens during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Collard Greens root diseases.
Wilbarger County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.6
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 Wilbarger County
How your county's soil matches Collard Greens's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.6) overlaps with Collard Greens's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Wilbarger County is excellent for Collard Greens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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.
Succession Planting Collard Greens
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 01.
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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 3.4" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 3.5" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 8.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 7.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 7.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.3" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3.5" | 1.5" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wilbarger 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 — Wilbarger County, TX
Collard Greens Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 18 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Direct Sow | March 11 | Mar 11 – Apr 1 |
| Harvest | May 20 | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Fall Sowing | September 1 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
55–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
230 days in Wilbarger County
Growing Tips for Collard Greens in Wilbarger County
Direct sow Collard Greens outdoors after March 25 in Wilbarger 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 Wilbarger County, TX?
Wilbarger County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Collard Greens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wilbarger County, TX?
Wilbarger County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 10.
Your Wilbarger County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wilbarger 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.