Collard Greens in Zone 10a & 10b

Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)

When to plant collard greens in zone 10b

Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Collard Greens tolerates either.

Start indoors	Dec 12–Dec 19
Direct sow / transplant outside	Jan 9–Jan 16
Estimated harvest	Mar 20–Mar 27 (~70 days after planting)

Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.

Collard greens are a Southern staple for a reason: they're tough, cold-hardy, and keep producing edible leaves through conditions that would end most other greens for the season. The tradeoff is that they take space and time. This isn't a quick, tuck-it-anywhere crop.

How collard greens fits zone 10's season

Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Collard Greens needs about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

Onion: Onion scent may help deter common collard pests.
Dill: Attracts beneficial predatory wasps that help protect brassicas.

Where to buy collard greens seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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