Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant collards in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is collards's whole year, counted from those dates.
Mar 13Start seeds indoorsSpring
Apr 17Transplant into the gardenSpring
Jul 2Start seeds indoorsFall
Jul 30Transplant into the gardenFall
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Rich, limed soil, pH 6.5+. A heavy feeder — side-dress with compost midseason.
Seedling care
Transplant at 4–6 weeks, buried to the first leaves. Row cover at transplant stops cabbage worms cold.
Growing notes
The Southern staple for a reason: collards handle both Tennessee summer heat and winter cold better than kale does.
Harvest
Pick lower leaves and let the crown keep producing — a fall planting feeds you clear through winter, sweetest after frost.
Same crop, other zones
Collards in zone 5b →Collards in zone 6a →Collards in zone 6b →Collards in zone 7a →