Planting guide · zone 9a
When to plant collards in zone 9a
In zone 9a, the average last spring frost is Feb 28 and the first fall frost is Dec 1. Here is collards's whole year, counted from those dates.
Dec 27, 2025Start seeds indoorsSpring
Jan 31Transplant into the gardenSpring
Sep 1Start seeds indoorsFall
Sep 29Transplant 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 7b →Collards in zone 8a →Collards in zone 8b →Collards in zone 9b →