Frost improves flavor; Southern staple tolerating heat better than other greens
Select your zone to highlight your exact planting dates. Dates are calculated from each zone's average frost dates.
| Zone | Last Frost | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2A | May 30 | Apr 18 | May 16 | May 2 |
| Zone 3B | May 15 | Apr 3 | May 1 | Apr 17 |
| Zone 4A | May 8 | Mar 27 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 |
| Zone 4B | May 1 | Mar 20 | Apr 17 | Apr 3 |
| Zone 5A | Apr 25 | Mar 14 | Apr 11 | Mar 28 |
| Zone 5B | Apr 18 | Mar 7 | Apr 4 | Mar 21 |
| Zone 6A | Apr 21 | Mar 10 | Apr 7 | Mar 24 |
| Zone 6B | Apr 10 | Feb 27 | Mar 27 | Mar 13 |
| Zone 7A | Apr 5 | Feb 22 | Mar 22 | Mar 8 |
| Zone 7B | Mar 28 | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | Feb 28 |
| Zone 8A | Mar 20 | Feb 6 | Mar 6 | Feb 20 |
| Zone 8B | Mar 12 | Jan 29 | Feb 26 | Feb 12 |
| Zone 9A | Feb 28 | Jan 17 | Feb 14 | Jan 31 |
| Zone 9B | Feb 15 | Jan 4 | Feb 1 | Jan 18 |
| Zone 10A | Feb 1 | Dec 21 | Jan 18 | Jan 4 |
| Zone 10B | Jan 15 | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Dec 18 |
| Zone 11A | Jan 1 | Nov 20 | Dec 18 | Dec 4 |
Collard greens are a Southern staple that’s tougher than kale and more heat-tolerant than most cool-season greens. A light frost sweetens the leaves significantly.
Good companions: onions, garlic, aromatic herbs (dill, chamomile)
Avoid planting near: strawberries, grapes, tomatoes
60-75 days from transplant; harvest leaves when they reach 8-10 inches