When to plant collard greens from seeds or transplants

Knowing when to plant collard greens is key to their success. They can be grown directly from seeds or the seedlings transplanted into garden beds or containers to get a head start on the harvest. When deciding how and when to plant collard greens, your local climate and the length of your growing season are some of the most important factors to consider. In this article you’ll learn about the importance of timing, when to start collard green seeds indoors, when to direct sow outdoors, when to transplant seedlings, and get tips for growing healthy plants.

Flip through any seed catalog and you’ll see that there are different types of collards available. It’s best to select varieties that thrive in your region. Some of the most popular varieties include:

Champion

• Days to maturity: 70 to 80
• U.S. Hardiness Zones: 3 through 12
• Grows two to three feet tall

Georgia

• Days to maturity: 65 to 75
• U.S. Hardiness Zones: 3 through 10
• Grows two to three feet tall with one-foot spread

Georgia southern

• Days to maturity: 50 to 70 days
• Can withstand winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees F (-6 degrees C.)
• Well-suited for container gardening

Green Flash

• Days to maturity: 55 to 70 days
• Puts on 18-inch rosettes of paddle-shaped leaves
• Well-suited for container gardening

Morris heading

• Days to maturity: 55 to 80 days
• U.S. Hardiness Zones: 3 through 12
• Grows two to three feet tall with a 12- to 18-inch spread

Vates

• Days to maturity: 70 to 80 days
• U.S. Hardiness Zones: 6 through 11
• Reaches two to three feet high with a one-to-two-foot spread

One of the Brassicas or cole crops, collard greens are extremely nutritious akin to kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Collards are high in fiber