When to plant collards in zone 4a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 4A

Growing SeasonZone 4a

Last frost ~May 20First frost ~Sep 20Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUGSEP

Start indoors Apr 15 · Sow Apr 29 · First harvest Jun 28 · Wrap by Sep 20

Last spring frostMay 20

Start seeds indoorsApr 15

Direct sowApr 29

First harvestJun 28

Last harvestSep 20

Fall succession sowJul 12

First fall frostSep 20

Why these dates work in zone 4a

Zone 4a's last spring frost averages May 20 and first fall frost Sep 20 — about 123 frost-free days. Collards tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 5 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 12 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does collards take to grow in zone 4a?

Collards matures in about 60–85 days from sowing. In zone 4a that means sowing around Apr 29 and first picking around Jun 28.

Will collards survive frost in zone 4a?

Yes — collards tolerates light frost. In zone 4a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 20).

Can I plant a second crop of collards in zone 4a?

Yes — in zone 4a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 12 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full collards growing guide →