When To Plant Collards In South Carolina

If you’re a South Carolina gardener, knowing when to plant collards is the key to a long and productive harvest. This guide will walk you through the optimal planting season for both spring and fall, ensuring you get the most from your greens.

Collards are a staple in Southern gardens for good reason—they’re tough, nutritious, and can produce for months. In South Carolina’s climate, you actually have two main planting windows. The goal is to time it so the plants mature during cooler weather, which makes the leaves sweeter and more tender.

Understanding South Carolina’s Growing Zones

South Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 7b through 9a. This range means your specific location affects your planting dates.

Upstate (Zone 7b): This area has colder winters. Your fall planting window is a bit earlier, and spring planting starts a little later.
Midlands (Zone 8a & 8b): This is the sweet spot for a long collard season with flexible dates.
Coastal Plains (Zone 8b & 9a): Milder winters mean you can often grow collards right through winter with some protection.

Always check your last spring frost and first fall frost dates as a starting point. A local nursery can give you the best advise for your town.

Primary Fall Planting Season

Fall is the absolute best time to plant collards in South Carolina. The cooling temperatures are perfect for growth.

Optimal Planting Time: Plant seeds directly in the garden from late July through mid-September.
Transplant Timing: If using starter plants from a nursery, get them in the ground from mid-August through early October.

Fall-planted collards will thrive in the cool autumn air and can often survive winter to produce a massive early spring harvest before they bolt (go to seed). The flavor after a light frost is unmatched.

Secondary Spring Planting Season

You can also plant in spring, but it requires more careful timing to beat the heat.

Optimal Planting Time: Sow seeds directly in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before your last expected spring frost. For most of SC, this is late February through March.
Transplant Timing: Set out transplants 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost, typically early to mid-March.

The trick with spring planting is to harvest the leaves regularly and completly before the intense summer heat arrives, which can make the leaves bitter and tough.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Follow these steps for success whether your planting in spring or fall.

1. Choosing the Right Location & Soil

Collards need full sun (at least 6 hours) but appreciate a little afternoon shade in summer heat. The soil should be well-draining and rich.

Work in 3-4 inches of compost or aged manure before planting.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A simple soil test can confirm this.

2. Planting Seeds vs. Transplants

You can start from seed or buy young plants.

Direct Seeding: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Later, you’ll thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart.
Using Transplants: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.

Water them in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

3. Essential Care for Healthy Plants

Collards are low-maintenance but do need consistent care.

Watering: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Water at the base to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Fertilizing: Side-dress plants with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea 3-4 weeks after transplanting.
Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of straw or pine straw mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Pest Watch: Keep an eye out for cabbage loopers and aphids. Handpick or use a safe organic spray like Bt if needed.

Harvesting Your Collard Greens

You can start harvesting when leaves are about the size of your hand.

The “Cut-and-Come-Again” Method: Harvest the older, outer leaves first, leaving the central bud to produce new growth. This extends your harvest for months.
Whole Plant Harvest: For spring plants before summer heat, or fall plants before a hard freeze, you can cut the entire plant at the base.

Always harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture for the best flavor and texture.

Tips for Year-Round Success

A few extra tricks can maximize your yield.

Use row covers in winter to protect plants from hard freezes, especialy in the Upstate. This can keep you harvesting all winter long.
In spring, succession plant by sowing a few seeds every two weeks for a continuous, non-bolted harvest.
Rotate your collard bed each year with unrelated crops (like tomatoes or beans) to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Don’t be afraid to plant them in containers if garden space is limited—just choose a pot at least 12 inches deep.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even tough collards can face issues. Here’s how to handle them.

Bolting: If the plant sends up a flower stalk, the leaves may turn bitter. This is triggered by warm temperatures. Harvest immediately and focus on fall planting for better results.
Yellowing Leaves: Often a sign of overwatering, poor drainage, or a nitrogen deficiency. Check your soil moisture and consider a nitrogen-rich feed.
Holes in Leaves: Usually cabbage worms or loopers. Inspect the undersides of leaves and use an organic control.

FAQ: Your South Carolina Collard Questions Answered

Can you plant collards in the summer in SC?

It’s not ideal. Summer heat stresses the plants, making leaves bitter and increasing pest problems. For a summer harvest, your best bet is to plant in very early spring.

How late is too late to plant collards in South Carolina?

For fall, aim to get transplants in the ground by early October. Seeds need more time, so get them sown by mid-September. This gives plants enough time to establish before severe cold.

Will collards survive a South Carolina winter?

Yes, they are very cold-tolerant. Established plants can handle temperatures into the teens, especially with a layer of mulch over their roots. In the Coastal Plains, they often grow straight through.

What are the best collard varieties for SC gardens?

‘Georgia Southern’ or ‘Creole’ are classic, heat-tolerant varieties. ‘Champion’ is compact and good for containers. ‘Vates’ is known for its cold resistance, great for Upstate winters.

Should I start collards indoors?

You can for a head start in spring, but they germinate easily in cool soil outdoors. For fall planting, direct seeding is often simpler and more effective, as transplants can struggle in the late summer heat.

By following this seasonal guide, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of collard greens from your own backyard. The key is working with South Carolina’s climate, not against it. With the right timing and basic care, this resilient green will be a reliable producer in your garden for seasons to come.