Planting guide · zone 7b
When to plant collards in zone 7b
In zone 7b, the average last spring frost is Apr 5 and the first fall frost is Nov 5. Here is collards's whole year, counted from those dates.
Feb 1Start seeds indoorsSpring
Mar 8Transplant into the gardenSpring
Aug 6Start seeds indoorsFall
Sep 3Transplant 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 6b →Collards in zone 7a →Collards in zone 8a →Collards in zone 8b →