If you’re a Georgia gardener, knowing when to plant collards is the key to a long and productive harvest. This guide covers the optimal planting times for this Southern staple, ensuring you get the most from your garden space.
Collards are a wonderfully resilient crop, but timing your planting correctly makes all the difference. It helps you avoid bolting in the heat and ensures tender leaves before the deepest frosts.
When Do You Plant Collards In Georgia – Optimal Planting Times For
Georgia’s long growing season and generally mild winters are perfect for collards. We have two main planting windows: late summer for a fall/winter harvest, and very early spring for a late spring/early summer harvest.
Primary Fall Planting Window
For most of Georgia, the best time to plant collards is in late summer. This allows the plants to mature during the cool, crisp days of fall. They often sweeten after a light frost.
- North Georgia: Plant from early August through mid-September.
- Middle Georgia: Aim for late August to late September.
- South Georgia: You can plant from September into early October.
Secondary Spring Planting Window
A spring planting is possible but trickier. You must get plants established early so they can mature before the intense summer heat arrives, which can make them bolt and turn bitter.
- Statewide Guideline: Plant as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter or very early spring. This is typically 4-6 weeks before your last average spring frost date.
- Timing is Critical: For most areas, this means seeding indoors in January or direct sowing in February to early March.
Using the USDA Zones as Your Guide
Georgia spans zones 6b through 9a. Your specific zone refines the timing.
- Zones 6b-7b (North GA): Fall planting is safest. Focus on August. For spring, wait until late March to avoid a surprise freeze.
- Zones 8a-8b (Middle GA): You have the most flexibility. Fall planting in September is ideal. Spring planting in late February is often succesful.
- Zone 9a (South GA): You can plant collards almost year-round, but the heat is your enemy. Prioritize a October planting for winter harvest, or a very early February spring crop.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Once you’ve nailed the timing, follow these steps for healthy plants.
1. Choosing Your Planting Method
You can start collards from seeds or use transplants. Transplants give you a head start, especially for the fall planting window when your summer crops are still in the ground.
- Direct Seeding: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. Space them about 3 inches apart, thinning later to 12-18 inches.
- Using Transplants: Start seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before your intended outdoor planting date. Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting them into the garden.
2. Preparing the Garden Bed
Collards thrive in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.
- Choose a site that gets full sun (at least 6 hours).
- Work 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
- Mix in a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer according to package directions. Collards are heavy feeders.
3. Planting and Initial Care
Set transplants at the same depth they were growing in their container. Water them in thoroughly with a weak seaweed or fish emulsion solution to reduce transplant shock. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first week or two while they establish new roots.
Essential Care for Georgia Collards
Proper care after planting ensures a bountiful harvest.
Watering and Mulching
Collards need about 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are best to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (straw, pine straw, or shredded leaves) around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures even.
Fertilizing for Success
Since you’re harvesting the leaves, nitrogen is important for lush growth. Side-dress plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer like blood meal or a balanced organic blend about 3-4 weeks after transplanting. For a long fall crop, a second side-dressing in mid-October can be beneficial.
Pest and Disease Management
Common pests in Georgia include cabbage loopers, imported cabbageworms, and aphids.
- Check the undersides of leaves regularly.
- Use floating row covers to prevent moths from laying eggs.
- For active infestations, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural bacterial control that is safe for people and beneficial insects.
- Promote good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases like downy mildew.
Harvesting Your Georgia Collards
You can begin to harvest leaves when they are about the size of your hand.
- The “Cut-and-Come-Again” Method: Harvest the oldest, lowest leaves first by cutting them at the stem. Leave the central growing bud intact to produce new leaves. This is the best method for a continuous harvest.
- Whole Plant Harvest: For spring-planted collards facing summer heat, you can cut the entire plant at the base before it bolts.
Fall-planted collards often survive winter in all but the coldest parts of North Georgia. They will resume growth in very early spring, giving you a bonus harvest before they finally flower.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few pitfalls that can trip up even experienced gardeners.
- Planting Too Late in Spring: This is the most common error. Late-spring heat triggers bolting, ruining the flavor.
- Overcrowding Plants: Collards need space for air circulation. Follow spacing guidelines to prevent disease.
- Inconsistent Watering: Drought stress leads to tough, bitter leaves. Mulch is your best friend here.
- Ignoring Pest Patrol: Cabbage worms can decimate a crop quickly. Check your plants weekly, its a simple habit that pays off.
Recommended Varieties for Georgia
Some collard varieties perform exceptionally well in our climate.
- Georgia Southern (Creole): The classic heirloom. Slow to bolt, very heat and cold tolerant.
- Champion: A compact plant with tender, dark blue-green leaves. Good for smaller spaces.
- Vates: Known for its cold hardiness, excellent for overwintering in North Georgia.
- Flash: A hybrid with good resistance to bolting, making it a strong choice for spring planting.
FAQ: Your Collard Planting Questions Answered
Can you plant collards in the fall in Georgia?
Absolutely. Fall is actually the premier time for planting collards in Georgia. The cooling temperatures produce sweet, tender leaves.
What month is best for planting collard greens?
For a fall harvest, August and September are the prime months across the state. For a spring harvest, February is ideal in the south and March in the north.
How late can you plant collards?
For a reliable harvest, aim to get transplants in the ground by mid-October for South Georgia and late September for North Georgia. Seeds need to be sown even earlier to mature.
Do collards come back every year?
Collards are technically biennials, but we grow them as annuals. They will not return as the same plant, but fall-planted collards often survive winter and give a final spring harvest before dying.
Can collards handle a Georgia frost?
Yes, collards are very frost-tolerant. In fact, a light frost or two improves their flavor, making the leaves taste sweeter. A hard freeze below 20°F may damage outer leaves, but the plant often survives if protected.
Getting your planting times right is the foundation for a succesful collard crop. By following these Georgia-specific guidelines, you can enjoy this nutritious green for many months of the year. Remember, the robust fall planting is your most reliable bet for a bountiful harvest that can last right through to spring.