Planting guide · zone 6a
When to plant collards in zone 6a
In zone 6a, the average last spring frost is Apr 28 and the first fall frost is Oct 15. Here is collards's whole year, counted from those dates.
Feb 24Start seeds indoorsSpring
Mar 31Transplant into the gardenSpring
Jul 16Start seeds indoorsFall
Aug 13Transplant 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 5a →Collards in zone 5b →Collards in zone 6b →Collards in zone 7a →