When to plant collards in zone 9b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Jan 11 · Sow Jan 25 · First harvest Mar 26 · Wrap by Jul 2

Last spring frostFeb 15

Start seeds indoorsJan 11

Direct sowJan 25

First harvestMar 26

Last harvestJul 2

Fall succession sowOct 1

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 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 Oct 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does collards take to grow in zone 9b?

Collards matures in about 60–85 days from sowing. In zone 9b that means sowing around Jan 25 and first picking around Mar 26.

Will collards survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — collards tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

Can I plant a second crop of collards in zone 9b?

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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