When to plant collards
Collards timing, counted from your average last spring frost and first fall frost. A Southern fall and winter staple.
| Season | cool-season, hardy to frost |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | 8 weeks before to 6 weeks before the last frost |
| Transplant | 4 weeks before to at the last frost |
| Sow outdoors | 4 weeks before to at the last frost |
| Fall transplant | 12 weeks before to 8 weeks before the first fall frost |
| Fall sowing | 14 weeks before to 10 weeks before the first fall frost |
| Soil temperature to germinate | 45°F or warmer |
| Days to maturity | 60–80 days from seed |
| Spacing | 12–24 in apart, rows 24–36 in apart |
| Seed depth | 0.5 in |
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13–27; Transplant: Feb 10–Mar 10; Sow outdoors: Feb 10–Mar 10; Fall transplant: Aug 25–Sep 22; Fall sowing: Aug 11–Sep 8 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27–Feb 10; Transplant: Feb 24–Mar 24; Sow outdoors: Feb 24–Mar 24; Fall transplant: Aug 16–Sep 13; Fall sowing: Aug 2–30 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4–18; Transplant: Mar 4–Apr 1; Sow outdoors: Mar 4–Apr 1; Fall transplant: Aug 12–Sep 9; Fall sowing: Jul 29–Aug 26 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13–27; Transplant: Mar 13–Apr 10; Sow outdoors: Mar 13–Apr 10; Fall transplant: Aug 13–Sep 10; Fall sowing: Jul 30–Aug 27 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5–19; Transplant: Apr 2–30; Sow outdoors: Apr 2–30; Fall transplant: Jul 20–Aug 17; Fall sowing: Jul 6–Aug 3 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16–30; Transplant: Feb 13–Mar 13; Sow outdoors: Feb 13–Mar 13; Fall transplant: Aug 25–Sep 22; Fall sowing: Aug 11–Sep 8 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Missouri Extension: G6201: Vegetable Planting Calendar
- K-State Research and Extension: MF315: Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: When to Plant Vegetables
- NC State Extension: Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
- UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS): SP 103/VH021: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Planning a Garden
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
All vegetables · Your ZIP's planting calendar
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