When to plant collards in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 8 · Sow Feb 22 · First harvest Apr 23 · Wrap by Jul 30

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 8

Direct sowFeb 22

First harvestApr 23

Last harvestJul 30

Fall succession sowSep 6

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 Sep 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does collards take to grow in zone 8b?

Collards matures in about 60–85 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Feb 22 and first picking around Apr 23.

Will collards survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — collards tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

Can I plant a second crop of collards in zone 8b?

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 6 for a second harvest before frost.

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