If you’re planning your Alabama garden, knowing when to plant collards is the first step to a great harvest. This guide covers the best planting times for this Southern staple, ensuring you get the most from your greens.
Collards are a fantastic crop for Alabama gardeners. They thrive in our climate and can provide food for many months. With a simple schedule, you can enjoy fresh collards almost year-round.
When to Plant Collards in Alabama – Best Planting Times For
The ideal planting times for collards in Alabama revolve around our long growing season. The key is to avoid the peak summer heat, which can make the leaves bitter.
For a fall harvest, which is often the best tasting, you’ll want to get your plants in the ground in late summer. For an early spring harvest, you need to time it just after the last frost. Let’s break it down by season.
Primary Fall Planting Window
The fall planting is the most popular and reliable. The cooling temperatures make collards sweet and tender.
- North Alabama: Plant from early August through mid-September.
- Central Alabama: Plant from mid-August through late September.
- South Alabama: Plant from late August through early October.
A good rule is to aim for about 6 to 8 weeks before your first average fall frost. This gives plants time to mature in cool weather.
Early Spring Planting Window
Spring planting is trickier but very rewarding for early greens. The goal is to get them growing before it gets to hot.
- North Alabama: Plant in late March to mid-April.
- Central Alabama: Plant in mid-February to late March.
- South Alabama: Plant in February to early March.
You can sow seeds directly in the garden as soon as the soil is workable. For a head start, use transplants after the danger of a hard freeze has passed.
Overwintering for Early Spring Greens
One of the best secrets is planting in fall to harvest in spring. Collards are very cold-tolerant.
Plant in early fall, just like for a fall harvest. The plants will establish roots before winter, slow down in the coldest months, then explode with new growth very early in spring. This often gives you the first fresh greens from your garden.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Once you’ve got your timing right, follow these steps for success.
1. Choosing a Location and Preparing Soil
Collards need full sun, at least 6 hours daily. They can handle partial afternoon shade in summer.
The soil should be rich and well-draining. Work in several inches of compost or aged manure before planting. A soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal. A simple soil test from your local extension office can help you adjust if needed.
2. Planting Seeds vs. Transplants
You can use either method. Seeds are cheaper and offer more variety. Transplants get you to harvest faster.
- For Seeds: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep. Space them about 3 inches apart. Later, thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart.
- For Transplants: Set plants at the same depth they were growing in their pot. Space them 12 to 18 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Water them in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
3. Essential Care for Healthy Plants
Consistent care is simple but makes a big difference.
Watering: Collards need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Water deeply at the base of the plants to encourage strong roots. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose is best to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
Fertilizing: Side-dress plants with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea about 3 and 6 weeks after transplanting. If your soil is rich, they may need little extra food.
Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves around plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil temperatures even.
Common Pests and Problems
Keep an eye out for a few typical garden pests. Catching them early is easiest.
- Cabbage Loopers & Imported Cabbageworms: These green caterpillars are the most common issue. Handpick them or use an organic spray containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).
- Aphids: Small clusters of green or black bugs on undersides of leaves. A strong spray of water from the hose often knocks them off.
- Flea Beetles: They create tiny shot-holes in leaves. Use floating row covers to protect young plants.
Good spacing and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent fungal diseases like downy mildew.
Harvesting Your Collard Greens
You can start harvesting as soon as leaves are large enough to eat, usually about 60-75 days from planting for full size.
For the “cut-and-come-again” method, harvest the older, outer leaves first. Cut them at the stem, leaving the central growing bud intact. The plant will keep producing new leaves from the center. This way, one plant can feed you for months.
For a full harvest, cut the entire plant about 4 inches above the ground. Often, it will send up new, smaller leaves for a second harvest.
The flavor is best after a light frost. Cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, making the leaves sweeter.
Recommended Varieties for Alabama
Some collard varieties perform exceptionally well in our Southern climate.
- Georgia Southern (or Creole): The classic, reliable heirloom. It’s heat-tolerant and slow to bolt.
- Champion: A compact plant with tender, dark blue-green leaves. Good for smaller gardens.
- Vates: Very cold-tolerant, making it excellent for overwintering and fall plantings.
- Flash: A hybrid known for its resistance to bolting in warm weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you plant collards in the summer in Alabama?
It’s not generally recommended. The intense summer heat stresses the plants, causing bitter leaves and prompting them to bolt (flower) prematurely. For a summer harvest, plant in very early spring so they mature before the worst heat arrives.
How late is to late to plant collard greens?
For a fall crop, you can plant up until about 4-6 weeks before your first hard frost. This will give you smaller plants, but you can still harvest tender baby greens. For a spring crop, planting to late into warm weather will result in poor quality.
Do collards come back every year?
Collards are technically biennials, but we grow them as annuals. They won’t come back like a perennial, but if you leave them in the ground over winter, they will often survive and produce a early spring flush of leaves before finally bolting.
What are good companion plants for collards?
Good companions include onions, potatoes, and herbs like dill and rosemary. These can help deter some pests. Avoid planting them with other cabbage family crops (like broccoli or kale) close together, as this can concentrate pest problems.
With the right timing and basic care, growing collards in Alabama is straightforward and highly rewarding. By following these best planting times for our state, you’ll ensure a long and productive season of nutritious, homegrown greens for your table.