Collard Greens in Zone 5a & 5b
Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)
Yes, collard greens grow in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out Apr 19–Apr 26. For a fall crop, plant out Jul 13–Jul 27.
When to plant collard greens in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 19–Apr 26 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 28–Jul 5 (~70 days after planting) |
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jul 13–Jul 27 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 21–Oct 5 (~70 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists collard greens for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of collard greens in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- RadishApr 12–Apr 19
- CarrotApr 19–Apr 26
- CabbageApr 26–May 3
- LettuceApr 26–May 3
- BeetApr 19–Apr 26
- Broccoli Rabe (Raab)Apr 19–Apr 26
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 fit zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Collard greens need about 70 days from sowing to first harvest.
Collard Greens planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 18–Jul 25 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 3–Jul 10 |
| 5a & 5bSpring window (your zone) | Mar 22–Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jun 28–Jul 5 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 13–Jul 27 | Sep 21–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6bSpring window | Mar 7–Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 23–Aug 6 | Oct 1–Oct 15 |
| 7a & 7bSpring window | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 2–Aug 16 | Oct 11–Oct 25 |
| 8a & 8bSpring window | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 18–Sep 1 | Oct 27–Nov 10 |
| 9a & 9bSpring window | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 12–Sep 26 | Nov 21–Dec 5 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Jan 9–Jan 16 | Mar 20–Mar 27 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 27–Oct 11 | Dec 6–Dec 20 |
| 11a & 11bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Jan | ~70 days after planting |
Harvest dates are about 70 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
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
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Georgia Southern (Creole): NC State Extension identifies Georgia Southern, along with Vates, Carolina Improved Heading (Morris), Blue Max, and Heavi Crop, as varieties that have consistently done well in North Carolina. Buy: Botanical Interests Full notes
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing collard greens" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Collard Greens in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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