Collard Greens in Zone 5a & 5b
Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)
When to plant collard greens in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 19–Apr 26 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 28–Jul 5 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. 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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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)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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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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