North Carolina growing guide
When to Plant Collard Greens in North Carolina
Last reviewed by GardenSproutly against the sources listed on this page.
Collards are a cool-season crop that grows best in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Fall collards survive the winter in coastal Pamlico County, though more insect pests are active in fall.[1]
Cold-hardy crops such as collards that are planted in fall may live through the winter, or go dormant for a while and grow again in early spring.[2]
- Days to harvest
- 60–100 days from seed; 32–72 days from transplants[4]
- Spacing
- 18 in. between plants[4]
- Soil pH
- 6.0–6.5[1]
Collards planting dates by region
Outdoor planting windows from NC State Extension's regional calendars[3],[4],[5], with indoor seed-starting dates and harvest estimates worked out from them. Adjust for your local frost dates and weather.
Eastern North Carolina
Coastal Plain
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Jul 15 – Sep 1Estimated harvest: Sep 13 – Dec 10
- Set out transplants
- Feb 15 – Jun 15Start seeds indoors about Dec 21 – Jan 4 (6–8 weeks earlier)Estimated harvest: Mar 19 – Aug 26Jul 15 – Sep 1Start seeds indoors about May 20 – Jun 3 (6–8 weeks earlier)Estimated harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 12
Days to harvest: T = 32–72; S = 60–100Spacing: 18 in.
Central North Carolina
Piedmont
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Jul 15 – Sep 1Estimated harvest: Sep 13 – Dec 10
- Set out transplants
- Feb 15 – Jun 15Start seeds indoors about Dec 21 – Jan 4 (6–8 weeks earlier)Estimated harvest: Mar 19 – Aug 26Jul 15 – Sep 1Start seeds indoors about May 20 – Jun 3 (6–8 weeks earlier)Estimated harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 12
Days to harvest: T = 32–72; S = 60–100Spacing: 18 in.
Western North Carolina
Mountains
- Sow seeds outdoors
- Apr 1 – Aug 1Estimated harvest: May 31 – Nov 9
- Set out transplants
- Apr 1 – Aug 1Start seeds indoors about Feb 4 – Feb 18 (6–8 weeks earlier)Estimated harvest: May 3 – Oct 12
Days to harvest: T = 32–72; S = 60–100Spacing: 18 in.
Planting collards for a fall harvest
Pamlico County Extension recommends seeding or transplanting fall collards between July 15 and September 15. The eastern and central NC State calendars list fall planting from July 15 through September 1, and both also list spring transplanting. In western North Carolina, the calendar gives one continuous window for seeds or transplants from spring into early August.[1],[3],[4],[5]
Soil and fertilizer
- Before planting, raise soil pH to 6.0–6.5. A soil test is the best guide to how much lime you need.[1]
- Without a soil test, Pamlico County Extension suggests 1 to 2 pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 square feet before planting.[1]
- Collards need nitrogen to grow large. Side-dress with ¼ pound of nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0) per 100 square feet 3 to 4 weeks after seeding or transplanting, and again 3 to 4 weeks later.[1]
Growing your own transplants
You can raise bare-root transplants right in the garden. Sow seeds in rows 2 to 4 inches apart, thin seedlings to 2 to 4 inches apart, and after about 6 to 8 weeks dig them up and transplant them.[1]
Varieties recommended by Pamlico County Extension include Morris Heading, Yellow Cabbage, Vates, Blue Max, and Top Bunch.[1]
Water often on hot, sunny days, and shade small seedlings if needed to help them get started.[1]
Pests and diseases
- Typical pests include imported cabbageworms, diamondback moths, cabbage loopers, and four-legged animals. Row covers can keep insects off but also raise temperatures, so they help most in cool weather and early spring.[1]
- Insecticide treatments may be needed until colder weather arrives. Read and follow label directions, including the waiting time between application and harvest.[1]
- Most collard diseases come with very wet conditions, saved seed, or plant debris left in the garden. If you can, plant where no cabbage-family crops grew in spring, remove plant debris, and avoid overhead watering that splashes soil onto leaves.[1]
Harvesting collards
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant collards in North Carolina?
Eastern North Carolina: sow seeds outdoors Jul 15 – Sep 1; set out transplants Feb 15 – Jun 15; Jul 15 – Sep 1. Central North Carolina: sow seeds outdoors Jul 15 – Sep 1; set out transplants Feb 15 – Jun 15; Jul 15 – Sep 1. Western North Carolina: sow seeds outdoors Apr 1 – Aug 1; set out transplants Apr 1 – Aug 1.[3],[4],[5]
Sources
- [1]Fall Collards – It's Time to Plant! — N.C. Cooperative Extension, Pamlico County Center. August 18, 2025. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Fall collard timing, soil pH, fertilizer, growing transplants, varieties, pests, diseases, and harvest. Scope: Eastern North Carolina (Pamlico County).
- [2]Extension Gardener Handbook, Chapter 16: Vegetable Gardening — NC State Extension. Published February 1, 2022. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Cool- and warm-season crop groupings, seed-sowing depth, transplant growing times and temperatures (Table 16-3), soil preparation, succession planting, and harvest indicators. Scope: Written for North Carolina and the southeastern United States.
- [3]Eastern North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-02) — NC State Extension. Published June 15, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for eastern North Carolina. Scope: Eastern North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [4]Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-01) — NC State Extension. Published July 8, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, plant spacing, and the 6–8 week transplant-starting rule for central North Carolina. Scope: Central North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.
- [5]Western North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs (AG-756-03) — NC State Extension. Published August 4, 2016. Checked October 11, 2026.
Supports: Outdoor planting dates, planting methods, days to harvest, and plant spacing for western North Carolina, plus regional pest-timing advice. Scope: Western North Carolina. The publication does not define county boundaries.