When to Plant Collard Greens: Spring, Fall and Winter Dates

Collards are a leafy form of the same species as cabbage and kale. Illinois Extension says they grow better in warm weather and tolerate more cold in late fall than any other member of the cabbage family, which is why they are a Southern staple that also grows well in the North. Clemson says mature plants withstand frosts and light to medium freezes, and UMN and Illinois both say frost improves the flavor of fall leaves.

Spring dates by last frost

The table counts from your average last spring frost. Planting out 4 to 2 weeks before the frost sits inside Texas A&M's 2-to-6-week window. Indoor seeds go in about 4 weeks before that, following UMN; Clemson starts seeds 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. UMN also direct seeds as soon as the soil can be worked.

Regional examples: in Minnesota, UMN starts seeds indoors in early April. In central Maryland, UMD's calendar starts spring seeds indoors in March and April and transplants in April and May. Clemson gives South Carolina spring transplant dates of March 15 to June 30 in the Piedmont and February 1 to June 15 on the coast, and prefers transplants in spring because seeds germinate slowly in cool soil.

Fall and winter collards

A fall crop is often the best collards of the year. Illinois plants again in midsummer for fall and early-winter harvest, and the leaves sweeten as the weather cools. Clemson direct seeds in late summer for fall.

Texas, Florida and the South

Texas A&M's fall guide gives these average planting dates for collards by Texas gardening region, and recommends 'Blue Max' and 'Georgia Southern':

UF/IFAS lists collard planting from September to April in North Florida, September to February in Central Florida and September to January in South Florida, and suggests staggering plantings for a steady supply. Clemson says collards can be grown most of the year in South Carolina, with early spring and fall preferred.

Seeds or transplants, and spacing

Harvesting collards

Collards are picked a few leaves at a time for months. Clemson breaks off leaves from the bottom of the plant first, a few at a time, and UF/IFAS also harvests the older outer leaves, and UF/IFAS picks them at about 10 to 12 inches long. Illinois says plants grown at close spacing can instead be cut whole at 6 to 10 inches tall. For the best flavor in spring, harvest before hot, dry weather turns the leaves tough (UMN).

Where collards go in the garden

Collards rotate with the rest of the cabbage family; UMN suggests a spot where no cabbage-family crop has grown for four years. See what to plant with cabbage, which also covers collards as a trap crop, when to plant kale for their closest relative, and what to plant in fall for other cool-season crops.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant collard greens?

Twice a year in most gardens: in early spring, about 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost (Texas A&M), and in midsummer to late summer, about 8 to 12 weeks before the first fall freeze, for fall and winter greens.

Can collards survive frost?

Yes. Clemson says mature plants withstand frosts and light to medium freezes, and Illinois says collards tolerate more late-fall cold than any other cabbage-family crop. Frost also improves the flavor.

When do you plant collards in Florida?

UF/IFAS lists September to April in North Florida, September to February in Central Florida and September to January in South Florida.

When do you plant collards in Texas?

Texas A&M gives average fall planting dates from August 1 in Region I (the coldest) to December 15 in Region V (the warmest), and spring planting 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost.

How long do collards take to grow?

About 60 to 80 days from direct seeding (Clemson), or 50 to 70 days from transplants (UF/IFAS). You can start picking lower leaves before then.

Why are my collard leaves bitter?

UMN says heat and water stress make leaves pungent or bitter. Keep the soil evenly moist, and time crops to mature in cool weather; fall collards are usually the sweetest.