Collard Greens in Zone 6a & 6b

Brassica oleracea (Acephala group)

When to plant collard greens in zone 6b

Zones 6a and 6b 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 7–Mar 14
Direct sow / transplant outside	Apr 4–Apr 11
Estimated harvest	Jun 13–Jun 20 (~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 6's season

Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. 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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