When To Plant Collards In Ga

If you’re planning your Georgia garden, knowing when to plant collards in GA is the first step to a great harvest. Getting the timing right means you’ll have a steady supply of this nutritious green for months.

Collards are a Southern staple for good reason—they’re tough, productive, and can handle our state’s heat and light frosts. With two main planting windows, you can enjoy collards in both the cool and warm parts of the year. Let’s break down the schedule so you can get your seeds in the ground at the perfect moment.

Georgia’s long growing season is ideal for collards. The key is to avoid having them mature in the peak summer heat, which can make them bitter and tough. Instead, aim for harvests in the milder temperatures of late fall and spring.

Primary Planting Windows

For most of Georgia, you have two optimal times to plant:

Late Summer to Early Fall (August – September): This is the most popular planting time. Seeds sown in late summer grow into mature plants for a fall harvest that can last right through winter. A light frost actually improves their flavor, making them sweeter.
Early Spring (February – March): As soon as the soil can be worked, you can plant collards for a late spring harvest. It’s crucial to get them established before the intense summer heat arrives in June and July.

Georgia Climate Zones & Adjustments

Georgia spans USDA hardiness zones 7b to 9a, so your specific location matters.

North Georgia (Zones 7b-8a): Frost comes earlier. Target early August for fall planting and late February to early March for spring planting. A row cover can protect young seedlings from a surprise late frost.
Middle Georgia (Zones 8a-8b): This is the sweet spot. Aim for mid-to-late August for fall crops and mid-to-late February for spring crops.
South Georgia & Coastal Areas (Zones 8b-9a): You have a longer window. Fall planting can extend into early October, and you can start spring seeds as early as January. Watch for summer heat, which arrives sooner here.

Soil & Site Preparation

Collards aren’t picky, but they do best in a well-prepared spot.

Sunlight: Choose a location that gets full sun (at least 6 hours). They can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter regions.
Soil: They prefer fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). A few weeks before planting, work in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure. This improves drainage and adds nutrients.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting. A side-dressing of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer a month after transplanting will encourage lush, green leaf growth.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

You can start collards from seeds directly in the garden or from transplants.

Direct Seeding

Prepare your garden bed, raking the soil smooth.
Plant seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep.
Space seeds 2-3 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart.
Water gently but thoroughly.
Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to stand 12-18 inches apart. You can eat the thinned seedlings as microgreens!

Using Transplants

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your intended outdoor planting date.
Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting them outside.
Set transplants at the same depth they were growing in their pots, spacing them 12-18 inches apart in rows.
Water them in well with a starter fertilizer to reduce transplant shock.

Seasonal Care Tips

Once your collards are growing, a little care goes a long way.

Watering & Mulching

Collards need consistent moisture for tender leaves. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or your hose. A layer of organic mulch, like straw or pine needles, is a game-changer. It keeps the soil moist, suppresses weeds, and keeps roots cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Pest & Disease Management

Common pests include cabbage loopers, aphids, and flea beetles. Check the undersides of leaves regularly. For light infestations, you can hand-pick caterpillars or spray aphids off with a strong stream of water. Floating row covers installed right after planting can prevent most pest problems. Good spacing and crop rotation helps prevent fungal diseases.

Harvesting Your Georgia Collards

You can start harvesting as soon as leaves are large enough to eat, usually when they are about the size of your hand.

Whole Plant Harvest: Cut the entire plant at the base when it’s mature.
“Cut-and-Come-Again” Method: This is the best way for a continuous yield. Harvest the older, lower leaves first, leaving the central growing bud intact. New leaves will grow from the center. In mild Georgia winters, plants can keep producing for months.

Fall-planted collards that survive the winter will bolt (send up a flower stalk) when days lengthen in spring. The leaves become bitter once bolting begins, so that’s the end of the harvest cycle.

Common Questions About Growing Collards in Georgia

Can I plant collards in the summer in Georgia?

It’s not ideal. Summer heat stresses the plants, leading to bitter leaves and more pest problems. For a summer harvest, you would need to plant in very early spring so they mature before the worst heat hits.

Will collards survive a Georgia winter?

Yes! Established collard plants are very cold-hardy and can survive temperatures down to the teens, especially with some mulch for root protection. They often slow down growth in the coldest months but will bounce back in late winter.

What are good companion plants for collards?

Plant them with herbs like dill and mint to deter pests. Onions, garlic, and potatoes are also good companions. Avoid planting them with other cabbage family members (like broccoli or kale) in the same spot year after year to reduce disease risk.

How long does it take for collards to grow?

From seed, most collard varieties take 60 to 80 days to reach full maturity. But you can begin harvesting young, tender leaves in as little as 30 to 40 days after planting.

By following these timing and care tips, you’ll be able to enjoy homegrown collards from your Georgia garden for much of the year. Remember, the secret is in the schedule—plant in the cool seasons for the best flavor and easiest growth. Now you’re ready to get those seeds in the ground at just the right time.