When To Plant Collards In Virginia

Getting your collard greens planting time right in Virginia is the key to a long, productive harvest. If you’re wondering when to plant collards in Virginia, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the optimal planting times for both spring and fall, which are the best seasons for this hardy green.

Virginia’s climate, with its distinct seasons, is perfect for collards. They thrive in cooler weather and can even handle a light frost, which actually makes them taste sweeter. Timing your planting correctly means you’ll avoid the bitter, bolted greens that come from summer heat and instead enjoy tender leaves for months.

For a successful collard crop, you have two main planting windows: spring and fall. The fall planting is often easier and more productive for beginners, as the cooling temperatures align perfectly with the plant’s growth cycle.

Spring Planting Dates

For a spring harvest, you’ll want to get your collards in the ground early. The goal is to let them mature before the peak summer heat arrives, which can cause them to bolt (flower) and turn bitter.

Direct Seed Outdoors: Sow seeds directly in your garden 2–4 weeks before your last average spring frost date. For most of Virginia, this is between late March and mid-April.
Transplant Seedlings: You can start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before that last frost date. Harden off the seedlings and transplant them outdoors at the same time you would direct sow.

Check your specific area’s frost dates, as Virginia’s geography from the mountains to the coast creates variation. A late cold snap won’t usually hurt established seedlings, but its good to be prepared.

Fall Planting Dates (The Best Time)

Fall is the premier season for growing collards in Virginia. The plants mature during the cool, crisp autumn days, resulting in the best flavor. You can harvest them well into winter.

Direct Seed Outdoors: Sow seeds in late summer, about 6–8 weeks before your first average fall frost. For most regions, this means planting between early August and early September.
Transplant Seedlings: Start seeds indoors in mid-summer (around July) and transplant them into the garden in late August or early September.

Fall-planted collards grow quickly as days warm and then slow as cool weather sets in. They become incredibly sweet after a few light frosts.

Virginia Planting Calendar by Region

Virginia has three main climate zones to consider:

Coastal Plain & Tidewater: Longer growing season. Spring plant late Feb to March. Fall plant mid-August to Sept.
Piedmont Region: Moderate season. Spring plant late March to early April. Fall plant early August to early September.
Mountain & Valley Regions: Shorter, cooler season. Spring plant mid to late April. Fall plant late July to mid-August.

How to Plant Collard Greens Successfully

Once you’ve got your date, follow these steps for healthy plants.

1. Choosing a Site and Preparing Soil

Collards need full sun (at least 6 hours) but will tolerate partial afternoon shade, especially in warmer areas. The soil should be rich and well-draining.

Work in 2–3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8. A simple soil test from your local extension office can help.

2. Planting Seeds and Seedlings

Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep.
Space seeds about 3 inches apart. Later, thin seedlings to 12–18 inches apart. (You can eat the thinnings!).
If transplanting, space plants 12–18 inches apart in rows 18–36 inches apart.
Water the seeds or seedlings gently but thoroughly after planting.

3. Ongoing Care and Maintenance

Collards are relatively low-maintenance, but they do need consistent care.

Watering: Provide 1–1.5 inches of water per week. Consistent moisture prevents tough leaves.
Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of straw or shredded leaves around plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil cool.
Fertilizing: Side-dress plants with a balanced, organic fertilizer or compost tea about 4–6 weeks after transplanting.
Pest Watch: Keep an eye out for cabbage loopers and aphids. Handpick pests or use a safe organic spray like Bt (for caterpillars). Row covers right after planting can prevent many pest problems.

Harvesting Your Virginia Collards

You can start harvesting leaves when they are about 10 inches long and dark green.

Whole Plant: Cut the entire plant at the base when it’s mature.
Leaf-by-Leaf (Cut-and-Come-Again): This is the best method for a continuous harvest. Start by picking the older, lower leaves first. Always leave at least 4–6 of the small, central leaves at the top so the plant can keep growing.

Fall collards often survive winter, especially with a layer of mulch. They may go dormant but will often produce a fresh flush of new leaves in early spring before bolting, giving you a bonus harvest.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Even experienced gardeners run into issues. Here’s how to handle common ones.

Bolting (Flowering): Caused by planting too late in spring or a sudden warm spell. The leaves become bitter. Solution: Focus on fall planting or choose bolt-resistant varieties like ‘Champion’ or ‘Vates’. Harvest promptly in spring.
Yellowing Leaves: Can be a sign of nutrient deficiency (nitrogen), overwatering, or poor drainage. Solution: Side-dress with compost and check your soil moisture.
Holes in Leaves: Usually cabbage worms or loopers. Solution: Inspect the undersides of leaves. Handpick or apply an organic Bt insecticide.

Recommended Collard Varieties for Virginia

Some tried-and-true varieties perform exceptionally well here:

Georgia Southern (Creole): A classic, heat-tolerant variety with great flavor.
Vates: Dwarf, slow-to-bolt variety, excellent for compact gardens.
Champion: Very tender leaves and cold tolerant, perfect for fall.
Morris Heading: Forms a loose head, with very sweet leaves after frost.

FAQ: Planting Collards in Virginia

Can you plant collards in the summer in Virginia?

It’s not ideal. Mid-summer heat stresses the plants, leading to bitter leaves and bolting. The best approach is to plant in late summer for a fall harvest, as the plants will mature in cooler weather.

How late can you plant collards in Virginia?

For a fall harvest, aim to get seeds or transplants in the ground by early to mid-September in most areas. In warmer coastal areas, you might push it to late September. This gives plants enough time to establish before hard freezes.

Do collards come back every year?

Collards are technically biennials but are grown as annuals. They won’t return from the same roots like a perennial. However, if you leave a fall plant in the ground over winter, it may produce new leaves very early in spring before it eventually flowers and dies.

What can I plant next to collards?

Good companions include herbs like dill and mint, which can deter pests, as well as onions, potatoes, and beets. Avoid planting them near other cabbage family crops (like broccoli or kale) to reduce pest and disease spread.

By following these timing and care tips, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest of delicious, nutritious collard greens. Remember, the secret is working with Virginia’s seasons, not against them. With a little planning, you can enjoy homegrown collards for much of the year.