Collards Growing Guide
Growing Collards is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Vegetable
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Growing Zones
Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
45 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Collards?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Collards Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Collards's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.5 cm
Seeding Depth
30 cm
Plant Spacing
45 cm
Row Spacing
1
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Tower.
Method: Tower.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 5–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Plant collards in a spot that gets full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
- 2Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and use mulch to retain moisture.
- 3Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent diseases.
- 4To manage pests, regularly check for and remove caterpillars and use row covers to protect young plants.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~70
Days to Maturity
90 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
90 days
When to Pick
Pick outer leaves regularly
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest collards when the leaves are large and firm, typically 6-8 inches long.
- 2Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer leaves near the base, leaving the central bud intact to encourage continued growth.
- 3Avoid pulling leaves to prevent damaging the plant.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Collards plant is a simple and rewarding process that any new grower can master! Allow a few healthy collard plants to flower and form seed pods, which will turn brown and dry on the plant. Once the pods are dry, gently collect them and carefully break them open to release the seeds. Let the seeds air dry for a few days, then store them in a labeled envelope or jar in a cool, dry place—your seeds will be ready for next season’s planting! With just a little patience, you’ll have your own homegrown seeds and the satisfaction of knowing you can keep your garden growing year after year.
Seed Production
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